Tbilisi, Georgia – On October 28, Georgians proceeded to the polls to directly elect their president for the last time. Georgian voters and poll workers demonstrated their commitment to democracy by participating peacefully. With over 99 percent of the votes counted, Georgia heads to a second round between the top two candidates, Georgian Dream-supported (GD) candidate Salome Zourabichvili, who received 39 percent of the vote, and Grigol Vashadze, represented by the United National Movement (UNM) from the eleven-party “Power Is in Unity” coalition, who received 38 percent.

Harare, Zimbabwe—The joint International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission (ZIEOM) today announced the release of its final report on the harmonized elections that took place July 30, 2018.

This statement (Download PDF) is offered by an international pre-election delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Heading into Bangladesh’s elections for the Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament), a pre-election delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) found that, while Bangladesh has several fundamental elements in place for holding credible elections, including a tradition of political pluralism and strong public support for democratic principles the polls will take place amid a high degree of political polarization, heightened tensions and shrinking political space.

From September 19-28, 2018, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) conducted a second joint pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria. The first assessment mission visited Nigeria in July 2018 and issued a statement on July 20, 2018, with recommendations on steps that would enhance citizen confidence in the credibility of the elections. This second mission builds on the first and captures progress achieved thus far and remaining challenges that need to be addressed.

Washington, DC  – The following statement was issued by National Democratic Institute President (NDI) Derek Mitchell on the selection of former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Anthony Banbury to succeed William Sweeney, Jr. as president and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES):

Osun State, Nigeria – ​An international pre-election assessment mission arrived in Osun State today to watch the voting process for the state’s gubernatorial elections on September 22, 2018. This is the second mission jointly led by the ​International Republican Institute (IRI) and ​National Democratic Institute (NDI) to evaluate Nigeria’s preparations for the 2019 general elections.

Washington, DC, - Today, September 4th, former Ambassador Derek Mitchell takes the helm as the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) new president. Now in its 35th year, the change in leadership comes at an important moment in NDI’s history.

Harare, Zimbabwe—The joint International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission (ZIEOM) acknowledges that the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe has issued its decision on the petition of Nelson Chamisa challenging the announced presidential election of incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa.

With support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Democratic Institute conducted an international mission to Afghanistan to observe the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections. The mission provided an impartial assessment of the 2014 elections and demonstrated the international community’s continued support for advancing the democratic process in Afghanistan.