Latest Resources
The Work of Domestic Election Observer Groups Around the World
Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Book, Civil Society, Electoral Systems, Europe and CIS, Latin America and the Carribean, Inter-Governmental Organization, Civil SocietyAuthors/Editors: Paul O’Grady, Rafael Lopez-Pintor, & Mark Stevens Civil society is a vitally important outlet for democratic activity and civil society groups are central partners in the promotion and defence of democratic development – from Latin America to Asia and from Europe to Africa. The aim of this publication is to highlight the work done by domestic election observers around the...
Handbook for Long-Term Election Observers
Civil Society, Electoral Systems, Guide / Manual / Indicators, Inter-Governmental OrganizationThis handbook provides long-term election observers (LTOs) with an overview of their role, duties, and responsibilities in the specific context of election observation as conducted by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Its topics comprise: quick-start information for LTOs, the role of LTOs in observing elections, LTOs reporting, preparing for short-term...
Unseeing Eyes: Media Coverage and Gender in Latin American Elections
Civil Society, Democracy, Electoral Systems, Governance and Gender, Latin America and the Carribean, Media, Public Administration, Inter-Governmental Organization, UN Women, Civil SocietyUnseeing Eyes: Media Coverage and Gender in Latin American Elections In a society where mass media is the main venue for political information and electoral competition, limited visibility during a campaign can be challenging to a candidate and limit the possibilities of being elected. This study covers five countries in Latin America and identifies differences and inequalities that women...
The APRM Process in South Africa
Africa, Civil Society, Electoral Systems, Human Rights, Public Administration, Report, Civil Society, DonorThis report reviews the process of implementing the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in South Africa. The aurthor of this report, Nobuntu Mbelle, finds that, though South Africa was anxious to complete the APRM self-assessment on time and did so successfully, its commitment to speed was perhaps at the expense of quality. Although there was an expectation that South Africa would...
African Peace and Security Council Report (ACP-EU, 15 April 2010)
Africa, Civil Society, Democracy, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Report, Civil SocietyIncludes report on expert level meeting with stakeholders to assess the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, plus pre-election analyses and country analyses. The report is published by the Institute for Security Studies. Country analyses in this issue is on Togo and Burundi.
Burma's Electoral Framework Is Fundamentally Undemocratic
Asia and the Pacific, Civil Society, Conflict, Democracy, Electoral Systems, Human Rights, Report, Civil SocietyBurma’s military regime, known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), intends to hold national elections sometime this year, the first since 1990. The polls will be the fifth step in the socalled “Seven Step Roadmap to Democracy” (the Roadmap) announced by the SPDC in 2003. The first four steps related to the development of a new constitution, adopted in 2008,...
Uganda: The Management of Elections
Africa, Civil Society, Corruption, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Civil SocietyWith Uganda's upcoming multiparty elections to be held in February 2011, there is an added debate around legitmate electoral processes. To aid the investigation, this study comprises an audit of the national legislative framework against the relevant African and international standards for holding elections, and its practical measures for implementation. It highlights concerns...