Presidential elections are scheduled for July in Mali, and are viewed by Malians as a major step in the country’s recovery from a coup that toppled the government in March 2012 and subsequent armed incursions led by Islamist rebels. Although major cities such as Timbuktu and Gao have been reconquered by Malian and allied forces, parts of the north are still controlled by rebel fighters.  Approximately 400,000 Malians have fled the area.

In Kenya’s male-dominated political landscape, women face many barriers to political participation, especially when seeking elective office. Aspiring women politicians often struggle with discrimination and lack of coverage by top media outlets, which makes it difficult for them to gain public exposure and support.

Showing courage and resolve in the face of deadly challenges, Pakistanis went to the polls May 11 to elect a new government that will be a critical step in the country’s return to democracy, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said today.

Members of Moldovan civil society have joined together to condemn a series of new laws that would allow parliament to remove constitutional court judges and that raise the threshold percentage of votes necessary for political parties to enter parliament, eliminating smaller parties.

Wafa Bani Mustafa had already won a seat in Jordan’s parliament. But as she prepared to run for reelection, she wanted to learn more about fundraising techniques, which are not widely used in the region. So last December, ahead of her campaign, she participated in an NDI training program on advanced campaign skills for experienced politicians from 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).