Twenty-Five Years

Yesterday, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) published its 2012 Annual Report, coinciding with the organization’s 25^th anniversary (http://www.pageturnpro.com/IFES/49069-IFES-2012-Annual-Report/index.html#1). In that year, IFES articulated its work through four themes: election management, electoral integrity and transparency, citizen participation, and inclusion and empowerment. For each, officials conducted field work in countries meeting the challenge of organizing, many times for the first time, a democratic election. Their efforts have truly a world reach: Guatemala, Egypt, Tunisia, Guinea, or Cambodia. Furthermore, they cover a vast array of topics, including voter education, party financing, fight against fraud and malpractice, or electoral justice.

After Huntington’s emphasis on elections as the benchmark of a democracy, contests for public offices have received as much attention as maybe no other element in a democratization process gets. It is there that IFES enters the scene. However, as the organization’s scope shows, few things can be as difficult in any regime, even more if it is undergoing a transition from an authoritarian rule, as organizing democratic elections (meaning they are free and fair or that their results reflect as closely as possible the will of the electorate). There are many requisites for that to happen: an effective rule of law to guarantee enfranchisement, a solid judicial system to process conflicts, or voters that know and understand their rights. IFES has developed workshops, seminars, and partnerships with local actors to work in that direction. At the same time, the result of this work will be just an institutional and reliable contest for power access and distribution. Its use, which gives substantial contents to a democratic regime, is something separate from what electoral assistance can provide. As well, the work IFES undertakes is, in the end, about constructing and applying rules. And history has shown over and over again that for rules to have more chance to succeed actors that will use them must participate in their design.

Thus, the work IFES undertakes points to two essential features of any successful democracy and governance collaboration project: trying to balance a holistic approach while acknowledging the limits of the program, and working in a constant involvement with beneficiaries. So far, the balance is positive, and surely it will continue like that in the future.