Chile’s 1988 plebiscite — in which citizens voted to end the dictatorial rule of General Augusto Pinochet — was a pivotal event in that nation’s history, as well as in the history of democracy around the world.

The victory of the anti-Pinochet “no” forces came against significant odds, which were discussed by key participants in the campaign at a March 26 panel preceding a showing of the Oscar-nominated film “NO” in Washington, DC, at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The film, by Pablo Larrain, has drawn new attention to Chile’s return to democracy.

The 2011 change in Yemen’s government has brought with it a first for the country – the chance for ordinary Yemenis to publicly question their political leaders about the economy, unemployment, transitional justice and other issues on their minds. 

Kenya is preparing for its first general elections since 2007, when 1,500 people died and 600,000 more were displaced in post-election violence.  Following passage of a new constitution in 2010, many new elected offices were created, so March 4 polls will include many candidates who have never campaigned or held office before. A large number are not schooled in the skills that lead to successful campaigns or in the responsibilities of candidates and elected leaders.

Participants in a new focus group research study, conducted by NDI, largely think their country is headed in the wrong direction, listing unemployment, rising prices, stagnant salaries and corruption as having a major impact on their quality of life.

However, the European Commission’s conditional recommendation to offer Albania candidacy status for EU accession is viewed by some participants as a sign of optimism and improvements, and a main indication for some that the country is on the right track.

Following the one-year anniversary of Tunisia’s elections for its National Constituent Assembly (NCA) – the first polls of the Arab Spring – citizens are frustrated by political infighting and the lack of progress on key political and economic issues, according to a new round of NDI focus group research.