TBILISI – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced the arrival today of an international delegation to observe the Oct. 27 presidential election in the Republic of Georgia. The group includes political and civic leaders, election experts and regional specialists.

The development of political parties - with their contrasting visions of how citizens should be served - are a sign of a healthy democracy. In a new publication, “Developing Party Policies,” NDI compares how different parties from emerging and established democracies have created ideologies, rules, structures and processes.

This paper discusses the various models of representation that elected officials use in the legislature and how these models can affect the relationship between them and their parties. It also addresses the rules and structures that affect party behavior and the relationships between parties, their parliamentary representatives and parliament. The paper further examines how parliamentary groups organize themselves, both in terms of internal structures and how they interact with the party structure outside of parliament.

Part of the Political Parties and Democracy in Theoretical and Practical Perspectives series, this publication discusses key issues that political parties may want to consider when selecting candidates for legislative office. In addition to theoretical and empirical research, the publication includes case studies of 10 political parties from around the world.