Providing support to election management bodies in four continents; hosting conversations on political finance and corruption; producing publications on Iran’s electoral system, election adjudication and strategic planning; and, primarily, focusing our work on the ideas of voter access and inclusion of all citizens — these were IFES’ 2011 success stories.

This year opened and closed with all eyes focused on the Middle East’s strides toward democracy. The Arab Spring affected not only the countries of Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen, which saw their governments overthrown, but spread and inspired demands for reform in Syria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Lebanon and other countries across the region.

IFES was one of the first organizations on the ground in Tunisia, meeting with civil society, political parties and the two main bodies charged with preparing a new electoral law. Our team partnered with the Technical Commission on Political Reform (TCPR) and the Sub-Commission on Electoral Reform to help the commissions achieve their goals and the resulting October 23 National Constituent Assembly election. In Egypt, IFES worked with the Higher Election Commission, the Ministry of Interior and civil society organizations so they could effectively manage ongoing elections and fully engage Egyptians in the political process.

While the Arab Spring unfolded in the Middle East, the world witnessed the birth of a new nation, the Republic of South Sudan, which is working to build a strong government. IFES assisted the National Elections Commission (NEC), the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and its subsidiary, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB), so those bodies could hold a peaceful and credible referendum. IFES teams were heavily involved in activities ranging from procuring ballot boxes, to providing logistic support, to helping create a sustainable election management structure. 

IFES believes a sustainable electoral body ensures each citizen has access to and is able to be engaged in the political process. Several of IFES' key projects this year addressed gender issues and persons with disabilities. IFES and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research partnered together for three years conducting surveys and writing briefs on how women in Lebanon, Morocco and Yemen perceive themselves as members of society, the economy and the polity. The result of this work was the November launch of www.swmena.org, and a series of advocacy toolkits and workshops for organizations that support women’s empowerment to use in building the capacity of women to affect a positive change in their societies.

IFES has been on the front end of ensuring access for persons with disabilities by working with local partners to provide items such as wheelchair ramps and braille ballots to increase their participation. IFES is also an active voice on the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Participation of People with Disabilities in Political and Public Life so international standards reflect the principle of inclusion. In 2011, IFES was honored by the National Council for People with Disabilities (CONADI) in Guatemala and received InterAction’s 2011 Disability Inclusion Award. These activities reinforce our past, present and future commitment to inclusion.

2011 was a very full year for IFES. We conducted numerous trainings, workshops, seminars and education campaigns in over 25 field offices. We supported 11 countries in 18 major national elections and referendums. IFES experts produced 41 publications, such as FAQs on major elections, white papers on fraud and electoral violence, a desk study on Iran’s electoral system and an updated edition on strategic planning for election management bodies.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to celebrating 2012 with you — IFES’ quarter century of contributions to the cause of democracy.