Citizen Participation

NDI Poll: Georgians Say Elections Were Well Run and Country Headed in Right Direction

Public Attitudes in Georgia: Results of a November 2012 Survey

NDI Poll: Georgians Say Elections Were Well Run and Country Headed in Right Direction

A survey of public opinion in Georgia released by NDI shows that 79 percent of Georgians think the Oct. 1 parliamentary elections were run well compared to 12 percent who thought there was some level of falsification.

WAEON Academy Addresses Role of Security Sector in Ensuring Peaceful and Credible Elections

As Guinea prepares for its first legislative elections since a 2008 military coup, the role of the nation’s security forces during the election period has come to the fore.

In 2010 Guineans participated in a democratic election that brought President Alpha Condé to power. Though the armed forces played a constructive role in providing security for that poll, a massacre in 2009, in which the military opened fire on unarmed civilian protesters, still weighs heavily on the minds of Guinean citizens.

No Voice, No Power: Malawians Share Their Concerns About Citizen Participation in Government

Despite constitutional provisions calling for local elections to occur every five years, none have occurred in Malawi since 2000. In the absence of elected local representation, many Malawian citizens feel powerless to improve the quality of their lives, a focus group research study has found. Despite this frustration, Malawians still strongly embrace democratic ideals and democracy’s ability to empower citizens to participate in their own governance.

Constitutional Dialogues Bring Zambia's Youth Into the Political Process

Young people make up nearly 60 percent of the population in Zambia and face growing unemployment rates. But their participation in politics and government has remained low. A group of youth-oriented civil society organizations is using the drafting of a new constitution as an opportunity to address youth issues and include young people in the political process.

Constitutional Dialogues Bring Zambia's Youth Into the Political Process

Young people make up nearly 60 percent of the population in Zambia and face growing unemployment rates. But their participation in politics and government has remained low. A group of youth-oriented civil society organizations is using the drafting of a new constitution as an opportunity to address youth issues and include young people in the political process.

Civic Organizations Unite in Landmark Call for Parliamentary Openness and Citizen Participation

On the International Day of Democracy, Sept. 15, civil society organizations from across the globe joined in a call to parliaments worldwide for stronger collaboration to improve openness, transparency and citizen participation in the legislative process.

Political Parties and CSOs Use Lessons Learned to Prepare for Angola Elections

Angolans will go to the polls on Aug. 31 for a historic election, the third in the country’s history and the first presidential election since a civil war ended in 2002.

Despite this significance, most Angolans are not fully informed of their rights as voters and many are unaware of recent changes to election laws, such as expansion of term limits and changes in voting procedures. In addition, the elections will take place amid growing violence against opposition supporters and a wave of student-led activism against wealth disparities.

“UsPeak” Puts Ugandans In Touch With Their Representatives

In a country of about 35 million people, keeping up with what’s on people’s minds can be a herculean task for the 375 members of the parliament in Uganda, where there have been significant changes in government in recent years.