The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
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Democracy Updates
NDI's latest report on public opinion in Sudan, entitled Imagining the Election, explores what citizens in Southern Sudan and the Three Areas know and expect of the country's planned 2010 parliamentary and presidential elections.
Based on 78 focus group discussions with 964 citizens in Southern Sudan, Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, Imagining the Election finds considerable gaps in the public's knowledge of the upcoming poll. Many are unaware of the array of offices due to appear on the ballot, and mistakenly believe they will be voting exclusively for the presidency of the Republic or the presidency of the Government of Southern Sudan. Others show a lack of familiarity with basic electoral procedures, such as voting in secret. Few know of the need to register prior to the election.
Partner Spotlight
In preparation for elections in southern Sudan next April, the Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE) has concluded a successful two-week voter education campaign, conducting 375 events in 37 counties in all 10 states of southern Sudan.
The presidential, parliamentary and local elections will be the first nationwide vote since the start of Sudan’s civil war, which began in 1986 and ended in 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
In-Country Perspectives
Thousands of wind-up and solar-powered blue radios distributed by NDI in Sudan are bringing a dialogue about national issues to isolated communities. A recently-completed NDI program has put more than 265,000 radios into the hands of Sudanese citizens since the end of 2007. Michael Rifer, who works in Sudan for NDI, describes the radios’ impact in one community.
Sudan
Sudan’s path to democracy has been marred by conflict spanning the past few decades. The Second Sudanese Civil War came to an end in 2005 after more than 20 years of bloodshed that ended with the signing of the unstable Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Meanwhile, tensions came to a head in Sudan’s western Darfur region in 2003, leading to what has been called one of the worst humanitarian crises of the new millennium. While such challenges to peace and stability have posed significant problems for the Sudanese people, they also present opportunities to engage the people at a grassroots level and encourage civic participation. By placing accountability for the future of Sudan in the hands of its people, NDI seeks to mobilize an informed public as a solid foundation for a democratic future.
Radio-Based Civic Education
Focus Group Research
Constitutional Development
Enhancing the Roles of Youth and Women
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