NDI strives to pioneer new applications of technology and assist NDI partners to apply them to the unique challenges of democratic governance in developing democracies.  Examples of the types of ICT programs that NDI typically conducts in emerging democratic countries are organized by topical area below. 

Democratic Governance

In the field of democratic governance, technology support to legislatures has been a primary area of work.  NDI has assisted partners in developing legislative tracking systems and interactive websites for parliaments in countries throughout the world including Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.  This type of support has also included assistance for parliaments and executive branch offices in technology planning and training, developing a technical support unit, equipping institutions with computers and networking resources, providing videoconferencing equipment and building voting and translation systems. NDI recently conducted its largest legislative technology program to date providing substantial technology assistance to the Iraqi National Assembly focused on helping that organization improve the management of legislative information.

Macedonia Casework Tracking Database

NDI's work with the National Assembly and political parties in Macedonia on a constituency outreach program resulted in the setup of 45 new constituency offices over the past 2 years. The success of this program has resulted in these offices having trouble managing their case load effectively using paper filing methods and the need to track constituent casework from the new constituency offices (COs) electronically was evident.

In response, NDI assisted the Macedonia political parties in the development of a casework tracking database, to be distributed to the 45 COs.

The database facilitates reporting and record keeping and allows constituency office assistants to enter cases that are received in person, over the phone, or by letter/email. The database is trilingual; operators can switch between Macedonian, Albanian and English languages.

Elections and Political Processes

The most prominent of NDI’s recent technology innovations have been in the elections area, where NDI has pioneered sophisticated uses of cell phones for domestic election observation. Combining an SMS-based reporting system with NDI's rigorous observation methodology, NDI partners can enhance the integrity of elections by alerting authorities to problems in time to be remedied, and by publicizing an assessment of the quality of polling and tabulation to expose problematic elections and increase public confidence in credible elections. NDI was recognized as one of the 2007 “Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of the Internet and Politics” by PoliticsOnline for this area of work. Further technology interventions in this field include building databases and tracking software for international observation missions, and designing data analysis software for domestic groups who monitor election irregularities and conduct parallel vote counts. 

SMS monitoring of elections in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone's most recent national election and runoff, 500 election observers at polling stations around the country sent text messages (SMS) through their mobile phones to report on any polling irregularities.  Led by the National Election Watch (NEW), a coalition of over 200 NGOs in the country, monitors used this rapid reporting system to help stabilize the political environment and support the peaceful transfer of power after a long civil war.

Political Party Development

NDI assists political parties around the world to improve various areas of their work by employing technology.  NDI has worked with global experts in online campaigning and advocacy to help political parties throughout the world take advantage of advances in online campaigning and member tracking. Online campaigning support often consists of assisting in the development of party websites, which can include online polling, development of member registration and subscription lists, and assisting parties with general organizing, administrative functions and financial management.  Member tracking and internal communication strategies help parties to improve communication, organize activities and be more internally democratic.

Political Party Network for Latin America & Caribbean (PPN)

The bilingual PPN web portal facilitates NDI political party training programs in Latin America. It provides political parties from across Latin America and the Caribbean access to comparative information and concrete party building tools and techniques on political party reform; it strengthens the existing network of reform-minded leaders and provides opportunities for the exchange of ideas and expertise; and facilitates the administration and delivery of future NDI political party training programs.

The online training features enable NDI trainers to extend the learning period of our training program from 1-2 weeks of face to face training, to 8-10 months of training and mentoring. The web site is a combination of a resource portal, a community-building portal, and an interactive training program management system. It primarily addresses NDI's two flagship programs in Latin America: PREPA and the Leadership Program.

Women’s Participation

NDI’s most significant technological contribution to its women’s programs has been the development of an interactive website for the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics). The online network acts as a comprehensive resource to help women around the world share resources, experiences and ideas, and as a virtual forum for discussion on how to overcome the barriers and meet the challenges of participating fully in politics.

iKNOWPolitics.org

As an innovative, multilingual global platform, the website is specifically designed to promote gender-sensitive governance and advance the role and number of women in political and public life. iKNOW Politics connects parliamentarians, representatives, candidates, political party leaders and members, researchers, academia and practitioners across borders, generations and faiths,  equipping them with the materials, expertise and best practices to make their political mark.

Citizen Participation

For NGO partners and civic groups, NDI has assisted with the development of databases and tracking software for members, trainers and volunteers in order to coordinate training activities, organize focus groups, distribute materials and generate statistical reports. NDI’s technological support in developing civil society has also included consulting on websites for public outreach, assisting with online discussion groups to help sustain networks of people, and developing secure Intranets incorporating collaboration tools so that groups can work together on policy or planning documents.

Improving Civic Data Collection in Angola

NDI has assisted Angolan civic networks, through a coordinating body, the National Platform, to standardize trainings, forms and press statements around election and civic education programs.  This assistance included technical guidance in developing new tools for data collection and reporting. The Platform utilized a computerized data collection system, with scannable observation forms, to record and sort observation information.  The new technology uses scanners with “intelligent character recognition” software, which reads handwritten data on observation forms and uploads that information to a centralized computer database.  The database processes scanned observer reports from around the country, reducing data collection time and the potential for human error.  

Contact Information

Chris Spence
Director, Technology Strategy and Programs
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Updated October 2007