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.

Aminata Kassé (left), NDI resident director in Burkina Faso, presents a certificate of training completion to a Burkinabe women running for office.

As countries across West Africa transition to democracy following years of autocratic rulers, civil unrest, and sometimes civil war, women are frequently left out of the process. Though they make up more than half of the population, women are often excluded from politics by rigid social norms, opaque party structures and other societal hurdles.

Yet democracies with more women in power have been shown to yield more equitable societies, have less corruption, and make more advancements in education, infrastructure and health standards.

Following the one-year anniversary of Tunisia’s elections for its National Constituent Assembly (NCA) – the first polls of the Arab Spring – citizens are frustrated by political infighting and the lack of progress on key political and economic issues, according to a new round of NDI focus group research.

Business Recorder | Link to story  »

The Senate's Special Committee on Election Issues on Tuesday briefed a visiting delegation of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) on the upcoming general polls. The six-member NDI delegation led by Peter M. Manikas, senior associate and regional director for Asia programmes, is currently visiting Pakistan to launch their report on Friday--based on findings about the pre-election scenario.

AllAfrica | Link to story  »

Two legislators appearing on the latest edition of the National Democratic Institute(NDI)and the Liberian Media for Democratic Initiatives(LMDI) USAID sponsored legislative spotlight standard version to share their thoughts on Liberia's Land reform process have called for a drastic reduction in the level of bureaucracy required in the process of acquiring land in Liberia.

Georgia Online | Link to story  »

According to a public opinion poll conducted by the National Democratic Institute, majority of Georgian express their sympathy to the Patriarch, Ilia II, with 93 percent of questioned. Leeade in political sympathy, with 80% became Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and only 29% are in favor of President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Diplomatic Courier | Link to story  »

For twenty years, Central and Eastern Europe have both been solid models of democratization, with Poland at the forefront. From its solidarity movement that spread through the country in the 1980s, Poland is leading the way in this transformation to democracy in the region.

In Profile Daily | Link to story  »

For the first time, constituents in Liberia’s 73 electoral districts will now benefit from a new information-on-demand service about the work of their Representatives and Senators in the National Legislature.

Kyiv Post | Link to story  »

There would have been fewer fights in the Ukrainian parliament if more women were among the deputies. At least female parliamentarians were not seen taking part in the multiple brawls that marked the first working days of Ukraine’s newly elected legislature this week.

Al Jazeera | Link to story  »

Inexpensive mobile phones and online maps are bringing new levels of transparency to elections across the continent...