The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) was founded in 1987 as a not-for-profit NGO and is based in Washington, DC. It fosters "democratic initiatives", extending loans and grants to various "developing" countries, and it provides "targeted technical assistance to strengthen transitional democracies". IFES notes: "the end of the Cold War in 1989 created opportunities… to respond to an overwhelming demand for technical non-partisan expertise in democracy and governance."
Emerging democracies often lack the institutional capacity and political will to manage elections or educate their citizens about democratic politics. To meet these needs, 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.
Since 1987, IFES has accumulated abundant election-related experience by offering these services in scores of countries, including numerous pre-election technical assessments, onsite technical assistance programs, poll-worker training, equipment procurements, and voter registration and education programs. Over time, we have built a cadre of more than 1,500 democracy and governance experts capable of addressing almost any election situation.
The IFES also assists journalists in covering elections.
IFES has produced the Election Guide website, which enables the monitoring of elections, the election process, and information about parties. The website was paid for by "a generous grant" from USAID.
In October 2007, IFES awarded the "Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award" to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza.
Besides handing out prizes, many of IFES's operatives lecture on how elections should be conducted. The emphasis is on the process or mechanics of elections and not on the nature of the political system. IFES is suggesting that money-dominated elections yield corruption and vote rigging. However, the US has a money-intensive election system - raising questions of double standards.
Richard Soudriette, IFES President and member of the US State Dept. "advisory committee on democracy promotion"
IFES states that has assisted more than 100 countries around the world.
↑ Achara Ashayagachat, Close monitoring by public urged, Bangkok Post, 17 November 2007.
This page was last modified on 6 April 2010, at 10:21.