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*'''[[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 operates out of its library named after the founder [[F. Clifton White]].<ref name = "ARC"/>
*'''[[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 operates out of its library named after the founder [[F. Clifton White]].<ref name = "ARC"/>


IFES, in completing the above agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. It uses the term “elections plus” to describe its activities.<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 the above agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. It uses the term “elections plus” to describe its activities.<ref name ="IFES101">[http://www.ifes.org/About/101.aspx IFES 101] IFES. Accessed June 30,2011</ref> IFES offers countries assistance in the areas of:<ref name = "IFES101"/>
*[[Electoral law]] design
*[[Electoral law]] design
*[[Party (politics)|Party]] & [[Candidate]] registration
*[[Party (politics)|Party]] & [[Candidate]] registration

Revision as of 16:12, 30 June 2011

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
File:Logo-ifes.gif
Established1987
PresidentWilliam "Bill" Sweeney
ChairPeter G. Kelly
Budget$70 million
Address1850 K Street NW, Fifth Floor
Location
Washington, D.C.
Websitewww.ifes.org

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1987.[1] This Washington, D.C.-based development organization provides assistance and support for elections in new and emerging democracies.[1] It has programs in more than 25 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and have worked in over 100.[1] IFES depicts five broadly defined areas of activity: Elections, Civil Society, Rule of Law, Good Governance and Applied Research. It helps countries implement these concepts in a variety of different ways including surveys, implementation of election support activities, election observation and publications of research and reference material.

IFES is supervised by a bipartisan board made up of international and American political figures. The president of IFES is Bill Sweeney.[2] He replaced Jean-Pierre Kingsley in 2009.[3] IFES maintains a number of field offices in country led by Chiefs of Party, who supervise and organize IFES's activities in each region.

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, an idea presented by Reagan 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), all established in 1983. These organizations 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] Also, IFES acquired the The Center for Democracy, an organization founded in 1985 by Allen Weinstein.[5]

Areas of activity

IFES is committed to extending the reach of democracy through technical assistance and support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations in new and emerging democracies [6] 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.[7]

  • 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."[8]
  • Civil Society- IFES states that civil society is integral to its 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.[9]
  • 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."[10] 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.[10]
  • 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."[11] IFES proposes to increase good governance in its 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."[11]
  • 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."[12] The research program operates out of its library named after the founder F. Clifton White.[12]

IFES, in completing the above agendas, has defined electoral work very broadly. It uses the term “elections plus” to describe its activities.[1] IFES offers countries assistance in the areas of:[1]

Election commentary

Due to the international nature of IFES's work, staff also 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 its website:[13] Template:MultiCol

U.S. Government
State & Municipal Governments
  • Virginia State Board of Elections
  • Board of Elections and Ethics, District of Columbia
  • Election Commission of Puerto Rico
  • Office of the Secretary of State of Minnesota
  • Office of the Secretary of State of Nebraska
  • St. Louis County Board of Elections
Bilateral Donors

| class="col-break " |

Multilateral Donors
Major Foundations/Nonprofits

Template:EndMultiCol

IFES Activities by Region

The following section is incomplete, it does not contain all IFES activities. However, this sections does provide case studies of IFES activities as is available in third party sources.

Africa

Main article: Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA)

IFES lent significant support to the development of the AAEA.

African Union

IFES collaborates with the African Union Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU).[14] With IFES's help the DEAU was able to make 8 election observation missions in 2008.[14] This support was done in conjunction with the Carter Center and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA).[14]

Angola
Main article: Elections in Angola

IFES provided assistance to Angola for its 2008 Election.[15] IFES has a permanent office there.[15]

Burundi

Beginning in 2000, IFES supports Burundi in anti-corruption, government transition and Civil Society projects.[16]

Gabon

IFES supported the claims of opposition leader Mamboundou, in his claims that the Gabon Presidential Elections 2009 were corrupt.[17]

Guinea

In August 2009, IFES's regional director for Africa, Almani Cyllah, said that Guinea should embark on free and fair elections.[18] IFES, though present in the country and optimistic that elections would happen in 2010, thinks that junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara's decision to run or not in the 2010 elections will determine if the election is fair.[18]

Liberia

Leading up to the 1997 elections in Liberia, USAID provided IFES with a substantial grant for technical assistance and the purchase of election equipment[19] They were also responsible for overseeing the sub-grants to the Carter Center and the Friends of Liberia in order to conduct observations of the election.[19] Also, IFES gave a subgrant to the Foundation Hirondelle in order to establish STAR radio.[19] IFES continued to fund STAR radio as part of its "good governance" support for Liberia until at least 2001.[20] Despite these grants, the election commission never supplied enough information to IFES for acquisition so was unable to complete its support efficiently[21]

In 2009, A $17.5 million contract was offered to Liberia with IFES as the conduit.[22] This money is meant to support the National Election Commission in the Presidential election of 2011 and the General Election of 2014.[22][23]

Kenya

In response nationwide deterioration into violence after the 2007 Kenyan elections, IFES did a study which proposed a series of suggestions which could help reform the electoral system.[24]

Nigeria

In 2008 IFES provided technical analysis of the electoral system in Nigeria, paritally in response to the problematic 2007 elections.[24]

With these recommendation in mind, IFES, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs sponsored a discussion of electoral reform in Nigeria in March 2009.[25] The conference, titled "National Dialogue on Electoral Reform", discussed the electoral reform process as well as the recommendations provided by the Electoral Reform Committee.[25] The event was attended by a number of political leaders in the country, including a Chief Justice and Head of State General.[25]

Americas

Cuba

USAID, along with the Organization of American States, commissioned IFES to conduct a study on the possibility of holding elections in Cuba.[26]

Nicaragua

Between 2005 and 2008, IFES provided support for the Supreme Electoral Council, the Nicaraguan Election management body.[24] IFES was forced to withdraw its programs in the country in December 2008, because of intimidation and pressure from the Sandinistas after the political party consolidated power and forced opposition political parties out of the country's politics.[24]

Paraguay

IFES deployed 19 election observers in the 2008 Paraguayan presidential election.[24]

Asia

Main article: International Foundation for Electoral Systems activities in Asia

IFES has done considerable work in various parts of Asia including Afghanistan (since 2002), Azerbaijan (since 2000), Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Timor L'este (2001–2008). They have received major support in Bangladesh by UNDP. In the Philippines both the British government and USAID supplied much of the organizations support, whereas in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Timor L'este much of its monetary support has been from USAID. These programs have ranged from direct support of election commissions, such as the programs run in Azerbaijan and the Philippines, to surveys of opinion, as in Bangladesh, and providing technical supplies and support, such as in Pakistan.

Europe

Armenia

IFES began working in Armenia leading up to the 1995 Armenian Elections.[27]

In 2001, IFES selected the Women's Republican Council in Armenia to be its prime indigenous partner in an effort to encourage the participation of Armenian women in the election process.[28] This was part of a larger project titled "Citizen's Awareness and Participation Project".[28]

IFES has partnerships with disability organizations in Armenia.[27] In 2004, IFES, along with the NGOs Lusatgh and Paros, hosted a discussion among government election officials, NGOs and international organizations to help improve the access of disabled voters to the election process.[29]

In 2007, IFES received funding from USAID and the RA Central Election Commission to train all members of provide training for the 17,000 members of precinct Electoral Commissions.[30]

The IFES Armenian field office, the RA Central Election Commission and the Association of European Election Officials (ACEEO) sponsored the 18th annual conference "Judicial Protection of Electoral Rights" September 3–5, 2009 in Yerevan.[31]

Russia

IFES, IRI and NDI were principal recipients of USAID contracts to help Russia establish democratic institutions during the Clinton Administration.[32] During the Boris Yeltsin years, IFES acted like an election and democracy information clearing house.[33] IFES also helped the Russian Central Election Commission train election administrators and create voter education programs.[33] After Yeltsin, IFES left, creating the organization titled the Institute for Election Systems Development, a local organization that continued the activities of IFES when it discontinued its own activities.[33]

Middle East

Iraq
Further information: Independent High Electoral Commission

Since September 2004 IFES has provided technical support to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).[34] This support is part of a $40 million grant to both IFES and an agreement with the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS).[35] The grant was designed to help IHEC establish an election administration body, establish facilities, gain security for election equipment, and recruit and train election staff.[35] This program was done in conjunction with the UN Election Assistance Mission in Iraq.[35]

During the period before the January 30, 2005 Elections in Iraq, IFES was the main supporter of the United States government and the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission in establishing democratic institutions.[36] Condoleezza Rice saw the election as "due in no small part to [IFES's] diligence and the dedication of [their] 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."[36] IFES continued to maintain a presence in Iraq after those elections.[36]

Lebanon

IFES began working in Lebanon in 2005.[37] Currently, IFES sponsors the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) which actively advocates the accessibility of polling places by the handicapped.[38] 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.[38]

West Bank/Gaza
Further information: Elections Reform Support Group

IFES has been an active contractor since 2003 with the Elections Reform Support Group (ESRG).[39] ESRG is an international initiative to support the reform of elections in Palestine.[39] This initiative, a cooperative between the Quartet and the UN, wants to improve the potential for safe and democratic elections in this region.[40]

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.[41]

Yemen

IFES has participated in the electoral process in Yemen since 1993.[42] They established a permanent office in Sana'a in 1999.[42] Currently the field office in Yemen is headed by Peter Williams, the country director.[43] The IFES field office in Yemen works with the Supreme Commission of Election and Referendum (SCER) in Yemen, headed by Khalid al-Sharif.[44] They have cooperated to create training for the local election officials.[43] IFES actively cooperates in enacting both parties agendas, which include training programs, building democratic institutions and raising awareness of democratic ideas.[44] the president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, supports the programs advocated by IFES.[45] In 2009, IFES met with the SCER to reach another agreement which would pursue IFES support of training, rehabilitation, institutional capacities, election awareness and strengthening women's participation in the electoral process.[46]

While reviewing the election voter lists of Yemen, IFES found 160,000 case of fraud including registration of under-age voters and repeating names.[44]

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.[47] The SCER talked with IFES about women participation on June 10, 2009, and Yemen acknowledged IFES's support of the cause.[44]

Publications

Beyond numerous subject specific publications, IFES publishes two magazines, an annual catalogue, and an Annual Report.

Annual Report

Each year IFES publishes an Annual Report to accomplishments IFES has made throughout the year from January to December. These reports began as biennial reports in 2001 until 2008 when IFES began publishing the report annually. The Annual Report is free and available in PDF form from the IFES website. [48]

Buyer's Guide to Election Supplies

IFES annually updates and distributes a catalogue of election vendors and technology titled Buyer's Guide to Election. The Buyers Guide is sent to every national election authority in the world gratis.

Democracy at Large

IFES published a quarterly magazine titled Democracy at Large from 2004 - 2006. [49] The magazine is intended for individuals invested in democracy development.The magazine was first published in 2004.[49]

Elections Today

Since 1993, IFES has produced a magazine titled Elections Today which discusses the contemporary issues in the advancement of democracy.

Personnel

Board and executives

Executive

Executive Managers include the following:[50]

Board

Current Board Members include the following:[51]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e IFES 101 IFES. Accessed June 30,2011
  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. ^ "Former U.S. Archivist Returns to the Premier Election Assistance NGO as Senior Strategist" (PDF) (Press release). International Foundation for Electoral Systems. October 13, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  6. ^ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org
  7. ^ University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, STUDY GUIDE: The Right to Vote
  8. ^ Elections, IFES.
  9. ^ http://www.ifes.org/civil.html
  10. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/rol.html
  11. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/governance.html
  12. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/arc.html
  13. ^ Working with IFES. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009
  14. ^ a b c African Union IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  15. ^ a b Angola IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  16. ^ Burundi. IFES, 2009. Accessed July 10, 2009
  17. ^ Gabon: Urolig etter antatt valgfusk, International Reporter (Norway), September 3, 2009. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  18. ^ a b Guinea's Junta Leaders React to Pressure Not to Stand in Next Year's Elections, VOANews.com, August 24, 2009. Accessed August 24, 2009.
  19. ^ a b c Lyons, 53
  20. ^ STAR Radio - Liberia. The Communication Initiative Network. Retrieved on July 08, 2009.
  21. ^ Lyons, 55
  22. ^ a b Jean-Matthew Nation, Tamba (29 October 2009). "Liberia to het $17.5m for polls". Daily Nation (Kenya).
  23. ^ B. Yates, Charles. "Ahead Of 2011 Elections: U.S. Government Gives US$17.5 m For NEC". Inquirer (Liberia). Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  24. ^ a b c d e "IFES Annual Report 2008" (PDF). IFES. 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  25. ^ a b c Nigeria: CSO Network and Dialogue on Electoral Reform. Daily Trust (Abuja), from allAfrica.com. April 2, 2009. Accessed July 07,2009
  26. ^ Horowitz, Irving Louis (2003). Cuban communism, 1959-2003 (11 ed.). Transaction Publishers. p. 212. ISBN 9780765805201.
  27. ^ a b IFES Armenia, IFES, 2009. Accessed September 11, 2009.
  28. ^ a b Activities of the Women's Republican Council Implemented within IFES Projec "Citizens Awerness and Participation in Armenia" Women's Republican Council, March 31, 2001. Accessed September 11, 2009
  29. ^ NGOs and Election Administrators Meet to Discuss Improving the Accessibility of Elections for Disabled Citizens ARMINFO News, July 12, 2004. Accessed September 11, 2009.
  30. ^ IFES/Armenia To Train All Members Of Electoral Commissions, US Embassy in Armenia, May 2, 2007. Accessed September 11, 2009.
  31. ^ Recurrent conference in Armenia A1Plus.am, August 24, 2009. Accessed September 10, 2009.
  32. ^ Marsden 138
  33. ^ a b c Marsden 140
  34. ^ Iraq IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  35. ^ a b c USAID Support to the Iraq Election Process Press release by USAID November 18, 2004. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  36. ^ a b c Letter commending IFES from Condoleezza Rice. Government Printing Office, March 3, 2005. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  37. ^ Lebanon IFES, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2009.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/westbankgaza.html?page=past IFES-West Bank/Gaza. Accessed June 30, 2006
  40. ^ UNDP/PAPP Support to the Electoral Process in Palestine. UN. Accessed June 30, 2009
  41. ^ Lynch, Marc. Should there be Palestinian elections?. Foreign Policy, July 7, 2009. Accessed July 8, 2009.
  42. ^ a b Yemen IFES, 2009. Accessed July 09, 2009.
  43. ^ a b SCER, IFES organize course on election system.Saba.net, The Yemen News Agency.July 4, 2009. Accessed July 6, 2009
  44. ^ a b c d SCER, IFES discuss electoral, democratic cooperation Yemeni News Agency, June 10, 2009. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  45. ^ President receives IFES's Executive Director brietbart.com. May 11, 2009. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  46. ^ "Yemen seeks bilateral cooperation with IFES". Saba Net. 7 October 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  47. ^ Program of supporting women's access to parliament launched. Yemen News Agency, May 10, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2009
  48. ^ "IFES-Who We Are". Annual Report PDFs. IFES. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  49. ^ a b Democracy at Large Collection, IFES, 2009. Accessed June 28, 2011.
  50. ^ IFES Staff. International Foundation for Electoral Systems, 2009. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  51. ^ "Board". IFES. Retrieved October 16, 2009.

References

  • Guy S. Goodwin-Gill (2006). Free and fair elections. Inter-parliamentary Union. ISBN 9789291422777. Found at Google Books
  • Kumar, Krishna (1998). Postconflict elections, democratization, and international assistance. Lynne Rienner Publishers. ISBN 9781555877781. Found at Google books
  • Lyons, Terrence (1998). Voting for peace: postconflict elections in Liberia. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 9780815753537. Found at Google Books
  • Marsden, Lee (2005). Lessons from Russia: Clinton and US democracy promotion. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9780754646105. Found at Google Books
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