Overview

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems is an independent, non-governmental organization providing professional support to electoral democracy. Through field work, applied research and advocacy, we strive to promote citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in political life and civil society.

IFES’ initial involvement in the Philippines began in March 2004, when a team of IFES consultants traveled to Manila to assess the political situation and propose recommendations for supporting a modernized electoral reform process. Operational challenges, such as the use of manual election methodologies and the need for improved training of election officials by the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC), helped shape immediate and long-term recommendations that today guide IFES’ work with COMELEC and civil society organizations to address priority needs in the Philippine electoral reform agenda.

Locally, IFES is currently implementing the "Supporting Transparent, Accountable and Modern Elections in the Philippines (STAMP)" a USAID-funded IFES initiative that aims to strengthen the key foundations of democratic governance. Through its efforts, IFES focuses on helping COMELEC build its capacity to modernize and conduct credible elections while promoting the mechanisms that systematize internal capacities and reform administrative practices. At the same time, IFES engages civil society actors in developing effective advocacy and government interaction capacities that entrench reform gains. By equipping citizens and the COMELEC with the skills and knowledge required to support the implementation of successful elections in the long-term, IFES hopes to promote increasingly transparent election processes, particularly in light of the upcoming 2010 national elections.

Mission

IFES Philippines exists to support civil society organizations, government institutions & other election stakeholders to effect electoral reforms in order to strengthen Philippine democracy.