Jump to content

International Foundation for Electoral Systems: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m referenced and cleaned up info
→Areas of activity: added funding section and fixed grammar formatting etc.
Line 36: Line 36:
==Areas of activity==
==Areas of activity==
The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) is committed to extending the reach of democracy through technical assistance and support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations in new and emerging democracies<ref>[http://www.electionaccess.org/ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) is committed to extending the reach of democracy through technical assistance and support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations in new and emerging democracies<ref>[http://www.electionaccess.org/ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
by providing professional advice and technical assistance in promoting democracy and serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society.<ref>University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,STUDY GUIDE:
by providing professional advice and technical assistance on democratic activites. IFES also serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society.<ref>University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,STUDY GUIDE:
The Right to Vote, http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/votingrights.html</ref>
The Right to Vote, http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/votingrights.html</ref>


*'''Elections''' - IFES states that "IFES provides comprehensive assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education. IFES seeks to bring transparency to elections by involving civil society in the process (in observer training, negotiations with national election commissions, etc.) and by incorporating anti-fraud mechanisms, such as political finance instruments, transparent ballot boxes, or inking voters’ fingers.<ref name = "Elections">http://www.ifes.org/elections.html</ref>
*'''Elections''' - IFES states that "IFES provides comprehensive assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education. IFES seeks to bring transparency to elections by involving civil society in the process (in observer training, negotiations with national election commissions, etc.) and by incorporating anti-fraud mechanisms, such as political finance instruments, transparent ballot boxes, or inking voters’ fingers."<ref name = "Elections">http://www.ifes.org/elections.html</ref>


*'''[[Civil Society]]'''- IFES states that civil society, which contains two parts: citizens understanding the rights and all citizens being included in the govermental proces, is integral to their operations. In puruit of this they encourage the growth and establishment of organizations tha promote these ideas.<ref> http://www.ifes.org/civil.html</ref>
*'''[[Civil Society]]'''- IFES states that civil society is integral to their operations and which contains two parts: citizens understanding the rights and all citizens being included in the govermental proces. In pursuit of this they encourage the growth and establishment of organizations that promote civil society.<ref> http://www.ifes.org/civil.html</ref>


*'''[[Rule of Law]]''' - IFES states "Every citizen of every country deserves the opportunity to live under the Rule of Law, and every country has an obligation to enforce the law fairly and effectively."<ref name = "Rule of Law">http://www.ifes.org/rol.html</ref> They propose to do this through the establishment of judicial independence, judicial enforcement, transparency, accountability, open government, access to information, whistle blowing, coalition building and human rights.<ref name = "Rule of Law" />
*'''[[Rule of Law]]''' - IFES states "Every citizen of every country deserves the opportunity to live under the Rule of Law, and every country has an obligation to enforce the law fairly and effectively."<ref name = "Rule of Law">http://www.ifes.org/rol.html</ref> They propose to do this through the establishment of judicial independence, judicial enforcement, transparency, accountability, open government, access to information, whistle blowing, coalition building and human rights.<ref name = "Rule of Law" />


*'''Good Governance''' - IFES states that "Good governance prevails when government officials manage public institutions in an efficient, transparent manner that is responsive to citizens’ concerns. It also requires that citizens work collaboratively with officials in the pursuit of common social, political, economic and cultural goals."<ref name = "Governance"> http://www.ifes.org/governance.html</ref> They propose to increase good governance in their realms of activity by "(1) fostering dialogue among government agencies, political parties and civil society organizations; (2) designing programs to increase public participation in the decision-making process; (3) offering government institutions research-based public policy guidelines; and (4) promoting responsive, transparent and accountable governance at the national, regional and local levels."
*'''Good Governance''' - IFES states that "Good governance prevails when government officials manage public institutions in an efficient, transparent manner that is responsive to citizens’ concerns. It also requires that citizens work collaboratively with officials in the pursuit of common social, political, economic and cultural goals."<ref name = "Governance"> http://www.ifes.org/governance.html</ref> They propose to increase good governance in their realms of activity by "(1) fostering dialogue among government agencies, political parties and civil society organizations; (2) designing programs to increase public participation in the decision-making process; (3) offering government institutions research-based public policy guidelines; and (4) promoting responsive, transparent and accountable governance at the national, regional and local levels."<ref name = "Governance"/>


*'''Applied Research'''- IFES, through it's applied research program based out of it's library named after the founder [[F. Clinton White]], sponsors research to "enhance the practice of democracy-building and to bolster the development of democratic and participatory institutions, processes and culture." <ref name = "ARC"> http://www.ifes.org/arc.html</ref>
*'''Applied Research'''- IFES sponsors research to "enhance the practice of democracy-building and to bolster the development of democratic and participatory institutions, processes and culture." <ref name = "ARC"> http://www.ifes.org/arc.html</ref> The research program is out of it's library named after the founder [[F. Clinton White]]. <ref name = "ARC"/>


IFES, in completing these agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. They use the term “elections plus” to describe their body of work. <ref name ="IFES101"> [http://www.ifes.org/101 IFES 101] IFES. Accessed July 09,2009</ref> IFES offers countries assistance in the areas of:<ref name = "IFES101"/>
IFES, in completing these agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. They use the term “elections plus” to describe their body of work. <ref name ="IFES101"> [http://www.ifes.org/101 IFES 101] IFES. Accessed July 09,2009</ref> IFES offers countries assistance in the areas of:<ref name = "IFES101"/>
*[[Electoral law]] design
*[[Electoral law]] design
*Party & Candidate registration
*Party & Candidate registration
*[[Political Finance Reform]]
*Political Finance Reform
*[[Boundary delimitation]]
*[[Boundary delimitation]]
*Election-day operations
*Election-day operations
Line 64: Line 64:


Due to the international nature of IFES's work, their staff will often provide commentary on international elections events for media publication. Examples include the [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/opinion/lweb13friedman.html?_r=2 president's commentary on Middle East elections], and a staff member's [http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/090518/reconciliation-efforts-needed-sri-lanka?page=0,1 commentary on Sri Lankan politics].
Due to the international nature of IFES's work, their staff will often provide commentary on international elections events for media publication. Examples include the [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/opinion/lweb13friedman.html?_r=2 president's commentary on Middle East elections], and a staff member's [http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/090518/reconciliation-efforts-needed-sri-lanka?page=0,1 commentary on Sri Lankan politics].

==Funding==
IFES recieves funding from the following donors and funders as listed on their website: <ref> [http://www.ifes.org/working-fundingpartners.html Working with IFES]. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009</ref>
;U.S. Government
*[[Agency for International Development]]
*[[CIVITAS]]/[[Department of Education]]
*[[Department of State]]
;State & Municipal Governments
*[[Virginia State Board of Elections]]
*[[Board of Elections and Ethics]], District of Columbia
*[[Election Commission (Peurto Rico)|Election Commission]] of Puerto Rico
*[[Office of the Secretary of State (Minnesota)|Office of the Secretary of State]] of Minnesota
*[[Office of the Secretary of State (Nebraska)|Office of the Secretary of State]] of Nebraska
*[[St. Louis County Board of Elections]]
;Bilateral Donors
*[[AusAID]] (Australia)
*[[CIDA]] (Canada)
*[[DFID]] (United Kingdom)
*[[Elections Canada]]
*Finnish [[Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Ministry for Foreign Affairs]]
*[[JICA]] (Japan)
*Norwegian [[Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]
*[[SIDA]] (Sweden)
;Multilateral Donors
*[[Inter-American Development Bank]]
*[[International Organization for Migration]]
*[[Organization of American States]]
*[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]]
*[[United Nations]], [[UNDP]], and other UN agencies
;Major Foundations/Nonprofits
*[[British Council]]
*[[Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy]]
*[[OSI Development Foundation]]
*[[Wallis Foundation]]


==Regions with an IFES Presence==
==Regions with an IFES Presence==

Revision as of 20:19, 9 July 2009

For other uses, see IFES (disambiguation).
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
File:Logo-ifes.gif
Established1987
PresidentWilliam Sweeney
ChairPeter G. Kelly
Budget$70 million
Address1101 15th Street
Location
Washington, D.C.
Websitewww.ifes.org

IFES, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, is an international, non-profit, Washington, DC-based organization that "supports the building of democratic societies". Founded in 1987, IFES has more than 174 international employees that work in collaboration with both domestic employees(US), contractors and local orgnizaitons.[1] They also have field offices in more than 25 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. [1] IFES participates in technical assistance projects for international and bilateral donor organizations such as USAID, the UN, DFID, the OSCE and others. Since 1987, IFES has worked with election assistance and democratic development in over 100 countries.[1]

The current president of IFES is Bill Sweeney, is a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).[2] He replaced Jean-Pierre Kingsley in 2009, the former chief election officer of Canada.[3]

History

F. Clifton White founded the International Foundation for Election Systems on September 19, 1987 as a direct response to Ronald Reagan’s definition of America’s role in promoting democracy, set out in 1982. IFES was established after the formation of similar organizations, such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and the International Republican Institute(IRI), each established in 1983, also in response to Reagan’s speech of 1982. IFES’ first project was international in scope, and focused on the Paraguayan elections of 1989.

Major Events

In 1990, IFES’ first field office was established in Haiti.

In 1991, a conference convened by IFES established the Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO), a prominent international organization of today.

In 1995, IFES embarked on a joint venture with IRI and NDI to create the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), an organization that continues to operate today.

In 1998, IFES entered into a partnership with Administration and Cost of Elections(ACE)

In 2002, IFES embarked on its first ever domestic project, focused on 2002 Florida elections.

In 2003, IFES accepted a contract for electoral supervision in Iraq for the first elections held post-Saddam Hussein.

Areas of activity

The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) is committed to extending the reach of democracy through technical assistance and support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations in new and emerging democracies[4] by providing professional advice and technical assistance on democratic activites. IFES also serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society.[5]

  • Elections - IFES states that "IFES provides comprehensive assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education. IFES seeks to bring transparency to elections by involving civil society in the process (in observer training, negotiations with national election commissions, etc.) and by incorporating anti-fraud mechanisms, such as political finance instruments, transparent ballot boxes, or inking voters’ fingers."[6]
  • Civil Society- IFES states that civil society is integral to their operations and which contains two parts: citizens understanding the rights and all citizens being included in the govermental proces. In pursuit of this they encourage the growth and establishment of organizations that promote civil society.[7]
  • Rule of Law - IFES states "Every citizen of every country deserves the opportunity to live under the Rule of Law, and every country has an obligation to enforce the law fairly and effectively."[8] They propose to do this through the establishment of judicial independence, judicial enforcement, transparency, accountability, open government, access to information, whistle blowing, coalition building and human rights.[8]
  • Good Governance - IFES states that "Good governance prevails when government officials manage public institutions in an efficient, transparent manner that is responsive to citizens’ concerns. It also requires that citizens work collaboratively with officials in the pursuit of common social, political, economic and cultural goals."[9] They propose to increase good governance in their realms of activity by "(1) fostering dialogue among government agencies, political parties and civil society organizations; (2) designing programs to increase public participation in the decision-making process; (3) offering government institutions research-based public policy guidelines; and (4) promoting responsive, transparent and accountable governance at the national, regional and local levels."[9]
  • Applied Research- IFES sponsors research to "enhance the practice of democracy-building and to bolster the development of democratic and participatory institutions, processes and culture." [10] The research program is out of it's library named after the founder F. Clinton White. [10]

IFES, in completing these agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. They use the term “elections plus” to describe their body of work. [1] IFES offers countries assistance in the areas of:[1]

  • Electoral law design
  • Party & Candidate registration
  • Political Finance Reform
  • Boundary delimitation
  • Election-day operations
  • Disputes resolution
  • Media development
  • Inclusion of marginalized groups
  • Civic and voter education
  • Commission & poll worker training
  • Results tabulation & transmission


Due to the international nature of IFES's work, their staff will often provide commentary on international elections events for media publication. Examples include the president's commentary on Middle East elections, and a staff member's commentary on Sri Lankan politics.

Funding

IFES recieves funding from the following donors and funders as listed on their website: [11]

U.S. Government
State & Municipal Governments
Bilateral Donors
Multilateral Donors
Major Foundations/Nonprofits

Regions with an IFES Presence

Africa

Main article: Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA)

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) lent significant support to the development of the AAEA.

Liberia

As of 2001, IFES funded STAR radio as part of their "good governance" support for Liberia.[12]

Nigeria

In March 2009, IFES along with the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs sponsored a discussion of electoral reform in Nigeria.[13] The conference titled "National Dialogue on Electoral Reform" discussed the electoral reform process as well as the recomendations provided by the Electoral Reform Committee. [13] The event was attended by a number of political leaders in the country, including a Chief Justice and Head of State General.[13]

Asia

Azerbaijan
Further information: Elections in Azerbaijan

IFES cooperated with Azerbaijani government through their central election commission.[14] Their association began in an agreement signed in 2000 and was renewed 2002.[14] In 2005, the Azerbaijani CEC had 2 IFES election observors registered along with a number of other international observors.[15] IFES's support of the Azerbaijani CEC was accepted gracefully by the head of the commission, Mezair Penahov; he stressed that " they have efficient cooperation with both international organizations in the direction of raising voter’s awareness and awareness of the members of lower election commissions," regarding IFES's help. [16] While coordinating effirts with the Azerbaijani CEC, IFES has consulted the UK based Association of Electoral Administrators. [17]

Indonesia
Main articles: Indonesian legislative election, 2004 and Indonesian presidential election, 2004

A series of of tracking surveys conducted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems between December 2003 and late June 2004 showed the popularity of each presidential candidate among voters throughout the selection and campaign periods.[18] The International Foundation for Electoral Systems also conducted a tracking survey in the Indonesian legislative elections in 2004 which showed that not all voters knew how to vote for candidates of the new DPD or were even aware of its existence.[19]


Pakistan
Further information: Elections in Pakistan

IFES advised the Pakistani Election Commission during the Elections during which were seriously delayed by the death of Benazir Bhutto. [20] After the election IFES stated that the elections had a "result [that was] not as transparent as at polling stations, and it needs to be for the result system to meet international standards." [21]

Phillipines
Main article: Election Process in the Philippines

IFES is currently supporting the Election Process in the Philippines.

Middle East

Iraq

Since September 2004 IFES has provided technical support to the Indepedent High Electoral Commision. [22] During the period leading up to the elections that took place on January 30, 2005 IFES was the main supportor of the United States government and the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission in establishing democratic institutions.[23] Condoleezza Rice saw the election as "due in no small part to [IFES's] diligence and the dedication of [the] highly skilled staff. IFES's guidance on election regulations and operations,complaints adjudication, and public information not only helped to ensure transparency but also served to buoy confidence that these historic elections were indeed credible and transparent."[23] IFES continued to maintain a prescence in Iraq after those elections.[23]

Lebenon

IFES began working in Lebenon in 2005.[24] Currently IFES sponsors the Lebanese Physically Handicap Union (LPHU) which actively advocates the accessibility of polling places by the handicapped. [25] LPHU found in a recent survey that less than 1% of the polling places in the country of Lebanon are fully accessible by the handicapped.[25]

West Bank/Gaza
Further information: Elections Reform Support Group

IFES has been an active contractor since 2003 with the Elections Reform Support Group (ESRG).[26] ESRG is an international initiative to support the reform of elections in Palestine.[26] This initiative, a cooperative between the Quartet and the UN, wants to improve the potential for safe and democratic elections in this region.[27]

Marc Lynch, of Foreign Policy magazine, says "this new paper from IFES makes clear" that holding elections in Palestine will not be easy, after it's recent release. [28]

Yemen

IFES has been participating in the election Process in Yemen since 1993.[29] They established a permanent office in Sana'a in 1999. [29] Currently the field office in Yemen is headed by Peter Williams, the country director.[30] The IFES field office in Yemen works with the Supreme Commission of Election and Referendum(SCER) in Yemen, headed by Khalid al-Sharif.[31] They have cooperated to create training for the local election officials.[30] IFES actively cooperates with the in enacting both parties agendas which include other than training programs such as building democratic institutions and rase awareness of democratic ideas.[31] The programs advocated by IFES are supported by the president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh.[32]

While reviewing the election voter lists of Yemen IFES found 160,000 case of fraud including registration of under age voters and repeating names.[31]

Also, IFES, with the help of the European Union and the Cultural Development Fund, actively supports the increased rights of women as they begin to take part in Yemen's Assembly of Representatives.[33] The SCER talked with IFES about women participation on June 10, 2009 about this and Yemen acknowledged IFES's support.[31]

Personel

Board and Executives

Executive

Executive Managers include the following:

Board

Current Board Members include the following:

EAC members

The Executive Action Committee (EAC) is comprised of the following:

  • Carina Perelli, Chairwoman
  • Jean-Claude Colliard
  • Diane Davidson
  • Nguyen Huu Dong
  • Denis Kadima
  • Johann Kriegler
  • Rafael Lopez-Pintor
  • Ambassador Gerard Stoudmann
  • Carlos Valenzuela
  • Sam Younger

International Staff

The heads of IFES’s international field offices are called “Chiefs of Party,” as well as “Country Directors.” Chiefs of Party and Country Directors employed by IFES include the following:

Africa
  • Rudolf Elbling: Country Director, Nigeria
  • Jared Hays: Chief of Party, Malawi
  • Elizabeth Côté: Chief of Party, Guinea
  • Carl Dundas: Chief of Party, Ethiopia
  • Yinka Oyinlola: Chief of Party, Angola
The Americas
  • Sophey Lagueny: Chief of Party, Haiti
Asia
  • Charles Lasham: Chief of Party, Afghanistan
  • Darren S. Nance: Chief of Party, Nepal
  • Peter Erben: Chief of Party: Pakistan
  • Beverly Hagerdon Thakur: Chief of Party, Philippines
  • Adam Schmidt: Chief of Party, Indonesia
Europe and Eurasia
  • Dan Blessington: Chief of Party, Azerbaijan
  • Ched Flego: Chief of Party, Armenia and Georgia
  • Dan Malinovich: Chief of Party, Kyrgyz Republic
  • Staffan Darnolf: Chief of Party, Moldova
Middle East and North Africa
  • Jeffrey Carlson: Chief of Party, Egypt
  • Richard Chambers: Chief of Party, Lebanon
  • Vladimir Pran: Chief of Party, West Bank/Gaza
  • Hermann Thiel: Chief of Party, Jordan
  • Peter Williams: Chief of Party, Yemen

References

  1. ^ a b c d e IFES 101 IFES. Accessed July 09,2009
  2. ^ IFES President Receives Honorary Award for Strengthening the UK-US Business Relationship. retrieved June 26, 2009
  3. ^ Kingsley to take international election monitoring post. CBC News. Retrieved 31 January, 2007.
  4. ^ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org
  5. ^ University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,STUDY GUIDE: The Right to Vote, http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/votingrights.html
  6. ^ http://www.ifes.org/elections.html
  7. ^ http://www.ifes.org/civil.html
  8. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/rol.html
  9. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/governance.html
  10. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/arc.html
  11. ^ Working with IFES. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009
  12. ^ STAR Radio - Liberia. The Communication Initiative Network. Retrieved on July 08, 2009.
  13. ^ a b c Nigeria: CSO Network and Dialogue on Electoral Reform. Daily Trust (Abuja), from allAfrica.com. April 2, 2009. Accessed July 07,2009
  14. ^ a b IFES and Azerbaijani CEC prolong term of cooperation memorandum. AZ Today, December 16, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  15. ^ Number of international observers reaches 1060 APA, October 31, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009
  16. ^ Mezahir Penahov received representatives of USAID and IFES AZ Today, October 5, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  17. ^ CEC chairman Mezahir Penahov visiting UK. AZ Today, March 03,2007. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  18. ^ Results from Wave XIV of Tracking Surveys (PDF), International Foundation for Electoral Systems, 1 July 2004, p. 5, retrieved 2009-06-28.
  19. ^ ">na Thalang, Chanintira (2005). "The Legislative Elections in Indonesia, April 2004". Electoral Studies. 24 (2): 326–332. doi:10.1016/j.electstud.2004.10.006. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Holds Election Key to Democracy. Associated Press, Feb 18, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  21. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Fears Violence on Eve of Vote. Associated Press, Febuary 16, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009
  22. ^ Iraq IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  23. ^ a b c Letter commending IFES from Condoleezza Rice. Government Printing Office, March 3, 2005. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  24. ^ Lebanon IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  25. ^ a b Lee, Hayeon.With dignity and independence: Lebanese with disabilities push for their right to vote this June. NOW Lebanon. May 24, 2009. Accessed June 03, 2009.
  26. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/westbankgaza.html?page=past IFES-West Bank/Gaza. Accessed June 30, 2006
  27. ^ UNDP/PAPP Support to the Electoral Process in Palestine. UN. Accessed June 30, 2009
  28. ^ Lynch, Marc. http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/07/07/should_there_be_palestinian_elections Should there be Palestinian elections?]. Foreign Policy, July 7, 2009. Accessed July 8, 2009.
  29. ^ a b Yemen IFES, 2009. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  30. ^ a b SCER, IFES organize course on election system.Saba.net, The Yemen News Agency.July 4, 2009. Accessed July 6,2009
  31. ^ a b c d SCER, IFES discuss electoral, democratic cooperation Yemeni News Agency, Jun 10, 2009. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  32. ^ President receives IFES's Executive Director brietbart.com. May 11, 2009. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  33. ^ Program of supporting women's access to parliament launched. Yemen News Agency, May 10, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2009

Sources

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Foundation_for_Electoral_Systems&oldid=301250020"