Parallel vote tabulations (PVTs), a powerful citizens' tool to analyze the integrity of voting and counting processes as well as the accuracy of official election results, were the subject of a "PVT Academy" held at NDI's Washington office Nov. 17-20. Some 23 participants from 17 countries, all experienced in conducting PVTs, came together to share expertise and harmonize best practices.

While the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced on Nov. 2 that a presidential runoff is not required, the systematic and widespread fraud that deeply marred the 2009 Afghan electoral process remains unaddressed.  A rigorous and impartial inquiry by noted international and Afghan experts concerning the failures in the 2009 election process is needed to reduce tensions, establish credibility for future Afghan elections and reinforce the legitimacy of the Afghan governing institutions and the effectiveness of international electoral assistance. 

For the first time since Tunisia started holding multi-party elections a decade ago, political parties united to observe voting around the country. After months of preparation, with assistance from NDI, senior members of the Ettajdid (Renewal) Movement and the Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties (FDTL) deployed 400 party agents to polling stations on election day.

The largest ethnic minority in Central and Eastern Europe, Roma continue to face discrimination and marginalization due to poverty, social ills and, in many cases, physical isolation. They are significantly underrepresented in mainstream political parties, hold few elected offices and have been unable to use political channels to solve many economic and social problems that affect their communities. NDI has been working with local candidates and political parties throughout the region in an effort to help Roma secure more equal political representation at all levels of government.

In a Nov. 3 statement, NDI called for a rigorous, impartial, high-level inquiry into the failures of the election process that allowed systematic and widespread fraud surrounding the Aug. 20 presidential balloting. The inquiry is needed “to reduce tensions, establish credibility for future Afghan elections, and reinforce the legitimacy of the Afghan governing institutions and the effectiveness of international electoral assistance,” the Institute said.