IFES

Independent global NGO. Mission: Together we build resilient democracies that deliver for all. Retweets or Links ≠ Endorsement

[IFES @IFES1987]

Democracy is about people. Watch our new video, which showcases IFES staff and partners who work tirelessly to make meaningful political participation for all people possible worldwide. This video was made possible by the generosity of @Sida.
Full video: https://t.co/xM8aqXyH3a

[IFES @IFES1987]

Watch the closing session here! Sesión de Clausura Cumbre 2026 Elecciones en el Mundo (25/09/2026) https://t.co/5MDLRu8TbA via @YouTube

[IFES @IFES1987]

The challenges facing elections are global. So is the community working to address these challenges.

This week, election leaders and experts from around the world are gathered in Mexico City for the 2026 Summit on Resilience, Cooperation and Integrity for Elections in the 21st Century.

IFES’ Fernanda Buril (pictured, second from right) joined the conversation on how elections are adapting to changing contexts and the regional challenges confronting electoral institutions.

Today, IFES President @TonyBanbury takes the stage to discuss “Reimagining Electoral Cooperation in the 21st Century.” In Tony's words: “The challenges facing elections may be global, but so is the community of people committed to protecting them.”

Tony will also participate in today’s closing ceremony -- and that will be online! Tune in. Link in comments. ⤵️

A tremendous “thank you” to the International Affairs Unit (CAI) of @INEMexico for organizing this important convening.

[IFES @IFES1987]

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems strongly condemns Russia’s staging of State Duma elections on Ukrainian territory that Russia illegally invaded and illegally occupies.

Russia's attempt to legitimize its illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory contravenes the Geneva Conventions and Ukraine's sovereignty, and has no force under international law.

https://t.co/MmbddC0mSq

[IFES @IFES1987]

Freedom begins with a choice.

The choice to speak. To participate. To be heard. And to have a genuine say in who governs and what your future will look like.

On the International Day of Democracy, we celebrate the power of people everywhere to shape their own futures.

At IFES, our work starts with that choice.

That means we support elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive. It means we work every day to strengthen the institutions, technology and expertise that make those elections possible. And it means we address the corruption, intimidation and malign foreign interference that can undermine genuine political choice.

When every voice counts, people can influence the decisions that affect their lives. And when people can freely express their choices through credible elections, they can shape their own future.

That is the promise of democracy. And it is what IFES works to support every day.

#InternationalDayofDemocracy #IDD2026 #Democracy #Elections #Freedom

[IFES @IFES1987]

Adopting global standards is one thing. Implementing them is another. This from @opengovpart's "OGP Horizons" offers an excellent roadmap for tackling abuse of state resources — and for translating UNCAC Resolution 11/7 into meaningful reform.

Thanks, too, for highlighting IFES’ new work on political finance data interoperability!

🔗 https://t.co/W9bOrjsMcG

[Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office @FCDOGovUK]

Ukraine Independence Day is more than a date 🇺🇦

It's a language. A culture. A community. A shared identity passed from one generation to the next.

Happy Ukraine Independence Day to our friends.

[IFES @IFES1987]

Learn more and read the full report report here: https://t.co/vCPdVKYKx7

[IFES @IFES1987]

What actually gets people to participate in democracy?

Information matters. But information alone may not be enough.

Whether people engage in civic life is shaped by a combination of individual behavior, social norms, and structural conditions. Programs designed to increase participation are more likely to succeed when they understand and address all three.

"Building Citizens," IFES’ newest report, applies a social and behavior change (SBC) lens to civic and voter engagement programming, offering a practical approach to:

🔹 Diagnose the barriers that keep people from participating
🔹 Design interventions that respond to those barriers
🔹 Assess whether programs are contributing to more durable democratic participation

Drawing on IFES programs in Tunisia, Ukraine, and Nepal, the report explores what it takes to move beyond assumptions about participation and address the factors that actually shape behavior.

Link to report below. ⤵️

#Democracy #CivicEngagement #Elections #BehaviorChange

[IFES @IFES1987]

💡 What if deepfakes aren’t the biggest AI risk facing elections?

While manipulated images and videos dominate the headlines, AI is increasingly being integrated into the systems that make elections work: voter databases, biometric identification, election administration and the tools voters use to find information.

These applications may be less visible. But their consequences can be significant.

In a new piece for @restofworld, IFES Chief AI Adviser Lisa Poggiali and Samson Itodo examine these emerging risks and make the case for something still largely missing from the global conversation: elections need a seat at the AI governance table.

Read more from Lisa and Samson: https://t.co/OUUE4BPR1v

#deepfakes #AIpolicy

[Ken Blackwell @kenblackwell]

Democracy is under pressure around the world, but its future is not predetermined. Tony Banbury, the President & CEO of IFES (where I serve on the Leadership Advisory Council) makes the case that engaged citizens, resilient institutions, and sustained international support can together strengthen democracy against increasingly sophisticated authoritarian challenges. Read the full op-ed here:https://t.co/xssf0kFojX

[IFES @IFES1987]

Democracy’s future will depend not only on strong institutions, but on the people willing to defend and strengthen them.

Read the latest op-ed from IFES’ President & CEO @TonyBanbury.👇

https://t.co/kx377OrcaN

[IFES @IFES1987]

Learn more and download here: https://t.co/ueXwI1uR20

[IFES @IFES1987]

💡DYK: Zambia will deploy nearly 90,000 electoral staff to manage polling stations for Thursday’s general election?

Learn everything about Zambia’s general election with IFES’ Election Frequently Asked Questions!

#Zambia #Africa #Elections2026 #Democracy

[Maximo Alberto Zaldivar Calderon @Maxzal2012]

Thank you to the @BBCNews and @bbc_helena for the invitation to discuss negotiations in Venezuela between the interim government and the opposition. An important moment for the country, essential to building a peaceful and democratic path forward. 🇻🇪 🗳️

[IFES Youth @IFESYouth]

#InternationalYouthDay is around the corner! Join @IFES1987, @YouthCohort, & @AMPGlobalYouth to deconstruct democracy through an interactive virtual workshop. Help us understand what #Democracy means for #YoungPeople today!

RSVP: https://t.co/Hpupztju4g

[IFES @IFES1987]

Learn more and download the guide here: https://t.co/OEY4hoV4jL

[IFES @IFES1987]

How can better data strengthen political finance oversight?

As campaign finance becomes more complex, oversight institutions face a growing challenge: turning fragmented data into meaningful accountability. Better laws alone are not enough. Better data is essential.

📣 Our new guide, "Solving the Puzzle: Making Political Finance Data Work," provides a very practical framework for strengthening political finance data and improving interoperability across oversight institutions.

Because when political finance data works, transparency and accountability work better too.

Read the guide - link in comments. ⤵️

[Jean Monnet Chair - Election Observation @DemObsEU]

The @Anfrel participated in the “Stakeholder Dialogue on #ElectionObservation Recommendations, Reform Priorities, and Implementation Considerations” organized on 8-9 July 2026 by the @EPDeu and the @IFES1987

https://t.co/9htC8CrnEA

[IFES @IFES1987]

Bringing together so many stakeholders reflects a shared commitment to strengthening governance, promoting electoral integrity, and supporting democratic resilience.

IFES is honored to continue partnering with Australia and our Sri Lankan counterparts as this important work moves forward. 2/2

[IFES @IFES1987]

IFES is proud to partner with Australia to launch Phase 2 of the Strengthening Governance Program, a two-year initiative supporting stronger democratic institutions and electoral processes in Sri Lanka.

The program was launched last week by @AusHCSriLanka High Commissioner H.E. Matthew Duckworth and IFES Senior Country Director Ms. Silja Paasilinna alongside representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka, Parliament, the Election Commission, civil society, and development partners. 1/2