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 →Asia: grammar
→History: added references
Line 19: Line 19:
<!---This sections needs references--->
<!---This sections needs references--->
[[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, which was established during a speech in 1982. IFES's establishment followed 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), established in 1983, which were also in response to Reagan’s speech.
[[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, which was established during a speech in 1982. IFES's establishment followed 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), established in 1983, which were also in response to Reagan’s speech.
IFES’ first project was focused on the [[elections of Paraguay|Paraguayan elections]] of 1989.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
IFES’ first project was focused on the [[elections of Paraguay|Paraguayan elections]] of 1989.<ref name = "IFES06"> [[http://www.ifes.org/publication/f7e3025d2d16b68add5d5d4f831b764e/IFES_Biennial_web.pdf 2005-2006 Biennial Report]]. International Foundation for Electoral Systems. pp 4, 24-25. Accessed July 22, 2009.</ref>


;Major Events
;Major Events


In 1990, IFES’ first field office was established in [[Haiti]].
In 1990, IFES’ first field office was established in [[Haiti]].<ref name = "IFES06"/>


In 1991, a conference convened by IFES established the [[Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials]] (ACEEEO).
In 1991, a conference convened by IFES established the [[Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials]] (ACEEEO).<ref name = "IFES06"/>


In 1995, IFES embarked on a joint venture with IRI and NDI to create the [[Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening]] (CEPPS).
In 1995, IFES embarked on a joint venture with IRI and NDI to create the [[Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening]] (CEPPS).<ref name = "IFES06"/>


In 1998, IFES entered into a partnership with [[Administration and Cost of Elections]](ACE) .
In 1998, IFES entered into a partnership with [[Administration and Cost of Elections]](ACE) .<ref name = "IFES06"/>


In 2002, IFES embarked on its first ever domestic project, focused on [[Elections in Florida|2002 Florida elections]].
In 2002, IFES embarked on its first ever domestic project, focused on [[Elections in Florida|2002 Florida elections]].<ref name = "IFES06"/>


In 2003, IFES accepted a contract for electoral supervision in Iraq for the first elections held post-Saddam Hussein.
In 2003, IFES accepted a contract for electoral supervision in Iraq for the first elections held post-Saddam Hussein.<ref name = "IFES06"/>


==Areas of activity==
==Areas of activity==

Revision as of 16:47, 22 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 development organization founded in 1987 to provide assistance and support for elections in new and emerging democracies. [1] They currently have programs in more than 25 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and have worked in over 100. [1] IFES depicts five areas of activity they take part in: Elections, Civil Society, Rule of Law, Good Governance and Applied Research. They help countries implement these concepts in a variety of different ways.

The current president of IFES is Bill Sweeney, a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).[2] He replaced Jean-Pierre Kingsley,the former chief election officer of Canada, in 2009.[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, which was established during a speech in 1982. IFES's establishment followed 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), established in 1983, which were also in response to Reagan’s speech. IFES’ first project was focused on the Paraguayan elections of 1989.[4]

Major Events

In 1990, IFES’ first field office was established in Haiti.[4]

In 1991, a conference convened by IFES established the Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO).[4]

In 1995, IFES embarked on a joint venture with IRI and NDI to create the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS).[4]

In 1998, IFES entered into a partnership with Administration and Cost of Elections(ACE) .[4]

In 2002, IFES embarked on its first ever domestic project, focused on 2002 Florida elections.[4]

In 2003, IFES accepted a contract for electoral supervision in Iraq for the first elections held post-Saddam Hussein.[4]

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 [5] by providing professional advice and technical assistance on democratic activities. IFES also serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society.[6]

  • 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."[7]
  • Civil Society- IFES states that civil society is integral to their operations and contains two parts: citizens understanding the rights and all citizens being included in the governmental process and encouraging the growth and establishment of organizations that promote civil society.[8]
  • 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."[9] IFES proposes to support this through the establishment of judicial independence, judicial enforcement, transparency, accountability, open government, access to information, whistle blowing, coalition building and human rights promotion.[9]
  • 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."[10] IFES proposes to increase good governance in it's 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."[10]
  • 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." [11] The research program operates out of its library named after the founder F. Clinton White. [11]

IFES, in completing the above agendas 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]

Election Commentary

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

Funding

IFES receives funding from the following donors (among others) as listed on their website: [12] Template:MultiCol

U.S. Government
State & Municipal Governments
Bilateral Donors

| class="col-break " |

Multilateral Donors
Major Foundations/Nonprofits

Template:EndMultiCol

Regions with an IFES Presence

The following section is incomplete, it does not contain all IFES activities.

Africa

Main article: Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA)

IFES lent significant support to the development of the AAEA.

African Union

IFES works with the African Union Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU).[13] With IFES's help the DEAU was able to make 8 election observation missions in 2008. [13] This support was done in conjunction with the Carter Center and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA). [13]

Angola
Main article: Elections in Angola

IFES provided assistance to Angola for its 2008 Election.[14] IFES has a permanent office there.[14]

Burundi

Beginning in 2000, IFES has supported Burundi in anti-corruption, government transition and Civil Society projects. [15]

Liberia

As of 2001, IFES funded STAR radio as part of their "good governance" support for Liberia.[16]

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.[17] The conference titled "National Dialogue on Electoral Reform" discussed the electoral reform process as well as the recommendations provided by the Electoral Reform Committee. [17] The event was attended by a number of political leaders in the country, including a Chief Justice and Head of State General.[17]

Asia

Afghanistan

IFES has worked in Afghanistan since 2002 helping the Independent Election Commission (IEC). [18] Also, CEPPS particpates in additional programs in the country.


Azerbaijan
Further information: Elections in Azerbaijan

IFES cooperated with Azerbaijani government through their central election commission.[19] Their cooperation began in an agreement signed in 2000 and was renewed 2002.[19] In 2005, the Azerbaijani CEC had 2 IFES election observers registered along with a number of other international observers.[20] IFES's support of the Azerbaijani CEC was accepted 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. [21] While coordinating efforts with the Azerbaijani CEC, IFES has consulted the UK based Association of Electoral Administrators. [22]

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

A series 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 in Indonesia.[23] IFES 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.[24]

Main article: Swara (Indonesia)

IFES helped establish the TV station Swara Channel in 1999.

Pakistan
Further information: Elections in Pakistan

IFES advised the Pakistani Election Commission during the 2008 elections which were delayed by the death of Benazir Bhutto. [25] 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." [26]

Philippines
Main article: Election Process in the Philippines

IFES is currently supporting the Election Process in the Philippines.

Middle East

Iraq
Further information: Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq

Since September 2004 IFES has provided technical support to the Independent High Electoral Commission, also Independent Election Commission of Iraq (IECI); [27] this support is part of a $40 million grant to IFES and as part of an agreement with the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS).[28] The grant was designed to help IECI establish an election administration body, establish facilities, gain security for election equipment, and the recruitment and training of election staff. [28] This program was done in conjunction with the UN Election Assistance Mission in Iraq. [28]

During the period leading up to the elections that took place on January 30, 2005 IFES was the main supporter of the United States government and the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission in establishing democratic institutions.[29] 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."[29] IFES continued to maintain a presence in Iraq after those elections.[29]

Lebanon

IFES began working in Lebanon in 2005.[30] Currently IFES sponsors the Lebanese Physically Handicap Union (LPHU) which actively advocates the accessibility of polling places by the handicapped. [31] 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.[31]

West Bank/Gaza
Further information: Elections Reform Support Group

IFES has been an active contractor since 2003 with the Elections Reform Support Group (ESRG).[32] ESRG is an international initiative to support the reform of elections in Palestine.[32] This initiative, a cooperative between the Quartet and the UN, wants to improve the potential for safe and democratic elections in this region.[33]

Marc Lynch, of Foreign Policy magazine, says, in an article commenting on the potential of elections in Palestine that "this new paper from IFES makes clear" that holding elections in Palestine will not be easy, after its recent release. [34]

Yemen

IFES has been participating in the electoral process in Yemen since 1993.[35] They established a permanent office in Sana'a in 1999. [35] Currently the field office in Yemen is headed by Peter Williams, the country director.[36] The IFES field office in Yemen works with the Supreme Commission of Election and Referendum(SCER) in Yemen, headed by Khalid al-Sharif.[37] They have cooperated to create training for the local election officials.[36] IFES actively cooperates in enacting both parties agendas, which include training programs, building democratic institutions and raising awareness of democratic ideas.[37] The programs advocated by IFES are supported by the president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh.[38]

While reviewing the election voter lists of Yemen, IFES found 160,000 case of fraud including registration of under-age voters and repeating names.[37]

Also, IFES, with the help of the European Union and the Cultural Development Fund, supports the increased rights of women as they begin to take part in Yemen's Assembly of Representatives.[39] The SCER talked with IFES about women participation on June 10, 2009 and Yemen acknowledged IFES's support.[37]

Personel

Template:MultiCol

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

| class="col-break " |

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

Template:EndMultiCol

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c d e f g [2005-2006 Biennial Report]. International Foundation for Electoral Systems. pp 4, 24-25. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  5. ^ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org
  6. ^ University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,STUDY GUIDE: The Right to Vote, http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/votingrights.html
  7. ^ http://www.ifes.org/elections.html
  8. ^ http://www.ifes.org/civil.html
  9. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/rol.html
  10. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/governance.html
  11. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/arc.html
  12. ^ Working with IFES. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009
  13. ^ a b c [African Union http://www.ifes.org/aunion.html] IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  14. ^ a b Angola IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  15. ^ Burundi. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 10, 2009
  16. ^ STAR Radio - Liberia. The Communication Initiative Network. Retrieved on July 08, 2009.
  17. ^ a b c Nigeria: CSO Network and Dialogue on Electoral Reform. Daily Trust (Abuja), from allAfrica.com. April 2, 2009. Accessed July 07,2009
  18. ^ Support to the Electoral Process (STEP). USAID Afghanistan, July 20, 2009. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  19. ^ a b IFES and Azerbaijani CEC prolong term of cooperation memorandum. AZ Today, December 16, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  20. ^ Number of international observers reaches 1060 APA, October 31, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009
  21. ^ Mezahir Penahov received representatives of USAID and IFES AZ Today, October 5, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  22. ^ CEC chairman Mezahir Penahov visiting UK. AZ Today, March 03,2007. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  23. ^ Results from Wave XIV of Tracking Surveys (PDF), International Foundation for Electoral Systems, 1 July 2004, p. 5, retrieved 2009-06-28.
  24. ^ ">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)
  25. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Holds Election Key to Democracy. Associated Press, Feb 18, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  26. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Fears Violence on Eve of Vote. Associated Press, February 16, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009
  27. ^ Iraq IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  28. ^ a b c USAID Support to the Iraq Election Process Press release by USAID November 18, 2004. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  29. ^ a b c Letter commending IFES from Condoleezza Rice. Government Printing Office, March 3, 2005. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  30. ^ Lebanon IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/westbankgaza.html?page=past IFES-West Bank/Gaza. Accessed June 30, 2006
  33. ^ UNDP/PAPP Support to the Electoral Process in Palestine. UN. Accessed June 30, 2009
  34. ^ Lynch, Marc. Should there be Palestinian elections?. Foreign Policy, July 7, 2009. Accessed July 8, 2009.
  35. ^ a b Yemen IFES, 2009. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  36. ^ a b SCER, IFES organize course on election system.Saba.net, The Yemen News Agency.July 4, 2009. Accessed July 6,2009
  37. ^ a b c d SCER, IFES discuss electoral, democratic cooperation Yemeni News Agency, Jun 10, 2009. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  38. ^ President receives IFES's Executive Director brietbart.com. May 11, 2009. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  39. ^ 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=303558647"