In anticipation of the September 20 presidential and municipal elections, NDI organized an international delegation to evaluate preparations for the polls and to make recommendations on measures that can increase confidence and participation in the process. Read the delegation’s report here., August 16 (PDF).
Sudan
NDI is conducting a program in Sudan to encourage civic dialogue as the country makes its transition to the post-conflict era. Searching for a Path to Peace presents findings from NDI’s latest series of focus groups conducted in 14 locations across Southern Sudan and the Three Areas. Click here to read the full report, April 2006 (PDF).
Macedonia
International and domestic observers of Macedonia’s July 5 parliamentary elections say that the process generally met international standards despite instances of fraud and violence. NDI’s Code of Conduct for Free and Fair Elections— signed by all major parties and publicized throughout the country— highlighted the need for democratic elections as key to Macedonia’s prospective membership in the European Union and NATO.
Before Mexico’s bitterly contested July 2 presidential and legislative elections, NDI fielded two pre-election delegations to assess the political environment in Mexico and issue reports on their findings.
NDI’s Director of Election Programs, Patrick Merloe, testifies before the United States Commission On Security And Cooperation In Europe (CSCE) on international election observation.
Read the May 17 testimony (PDF).
Last year, NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright joined UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and others at the UN in New York to endorse the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. Full Story...
Series on NDI Program in Yemen Wins 2006 Pulitzer Prize
On April 17, Washington Post journalist David Finkel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for “his ambitious, clear-eyed case study” in the series below.
NDI Senior Associate Patrick Merloe testifies before the United States Congress Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe on "Freedom Denied: Belarus on the Eve of the Elections." Click here to read the full testimony, March 9. (PDF)
NDI issues a statement on the arrests of civic activists in Belarus. Read this statement in English, Belarusian or Russian, March 7 (PDF).
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2006 KUWAIT ELECTIONS
For the first time, women were eligible to vote and compete in Kuwait’s June 29 parliamentary elections. With only one month to campaign, none of the 27 women out of 252 candidates was elected. However, they ran well organized, professional and positive campaigns. Their efforts are expected to impact positively on legislation affecting women’s issues, enhance women’s political participation generally, and promote their standing in other professions. In the lead-up to the polls, NDI provided assistance to women candidates on organization, message development and voter outreach.
To celebrate the inauguration of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf—Africa’s first democratically elected female head of state—NDI and the Liberian Ministry of Gender and Development convened a forum to discuss women’s participation in African political life. More than 250 African women joined President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the event.
In January, an NDI and The Carter Center joint delegation to the Palestinian Legislative Council elections led by former US President Jimmy Carter, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and former Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio.
With national elections in 2006 certain to be hotly contested, a new study finds Nicaraguan youth interested in politics, but manyas much as 14% of the electoratelacking the necessary ID cards to vote. Full story.
NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. To find more information on specific NDI programs around the world, click on a region below.