Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening

The Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) is a cooperative agreement supervised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Democracy and Governance made in 1995.^[1] As part of USAID's Acceleration Success initiative,^[2] the agreement is the principal contractor for the Office of Democracy and Government's elections and political processes program which provides technical assistance and support to USAID missions worldwide.^[1] The agreement includes the International Republican Institute (IRI), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. ^[1]

Activities

The following are examples of activities which CEPPS has taken part in.

Afghanistan

CEPPS participated in a contract with USAID starting in 2003 and terminating in 2011 ^[3] concerning the "Strengthening of elections and political process." ^[2] The contract is meant to improve the effectiveness of the Independent Electoral Commission, support the National Assembly, support the development of provincial councils and increase grassroot movements in support of democracy. ^[3] CEPPS reported training more than 2000 local leaders in civic education and register 46 political parties before the end of 2004.^[2] Additionally CEPPS established eight election training and information centres by 2004.^[2]

Through the "Support for Increased Electoral Participation in Afghanistan" program IFES, IRI and NDI:^[4]

• Conducted women's election awareness workshops.
• Conducted journalist election reporting training.
• trained party activists.
• supported six political groups in voicing their position including the Afghanistan Parliamentary Youth Caucus, the Afghanistan Parliamentary Counternarcotics Caucus, and the Afghanistan Parliamentary Business Caucus.
• supported 18 civil society organizations including Afghanistan National Youth and Social Organization, Movement of Afghan Sisters, United Hazara Assembly, and District Shuras.
• launched a television series The Candidate
• conducted public surveys
• other party training
• help create a plan to monitor voter registration centres

Philippines

Further information: Elections in the Philippines

The Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC) asked CEPPS to asses the political situation leading up to the May 10, 2004 elections. ^[5] CEPPS agreed to take part in a mission funded by USAID.^[5] The project was meant to observe the elections in order to make recommendations to COMELEC and other political players, to host a post-election program to evaluate and make recommendations to these political players and to make recommendations to the media following the election.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Data Sheet for Office of Democracy and Governance. USAID. Accessed July 21, 2009.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Afghanistan Reconstruction: Despite Some Progress, Deteriorating Security and Other Obstacles Continue to Threaten Achievement of U.S. Goals. Government Accountability Office, July 2005. pp 23-24. Accessed July 21, 2009.
3. ^ ^{a b} Consortium for Electoral and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). USAID Afghanistan, July 20, 2009. Accessed July 21, 2009.
4. ^ Fact Sheet: Support Increased Electoral Participation in Afghanistant (Report). October 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} Philippines Election Observation Program: Strengthening the Electoral Process, IFES Final Report. IFES, August 2004. Accessed July 21, 2009.

External links

• Election Guide at CEPPS