Democracy and Technology

NDI Uses Technology to Link Lawmakers With Constituents | Dec. 19, 2012

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.

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NDI Uses Mobile Phone Technology to Enhance Communications Between Legislators | Dec. 14, 2012

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Africa's Digital Election Trackers | Dec. 12, 2012

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

Pat Merloe, director of electoral programs at the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), described such efforts as an "advance in transparency in Africa and around the world". But he called attention to the limitations of web-based efforts to monitor elections.

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December 6, 2012

Making All Voices Count: New Fund Aims to Support Open Government around the World

Addressing the potential of new information and social networking technologies, former Secretary of State and NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright spoke at the Dec. 5 launch of a new initiative aimed at using technology to improve communications between citizens and their government. “Democracy thrives on diversity and becomes stronger through vigorous debate,” she said. “Its very identity is based on the free expression of popular will.”

On the heels of the tech-focused U.S. presidential election, last week’s Tech@State conference brought together government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private companies, academics and technologists to explore how technology is used in domestic and international elections.

Speaker of Parliament Launches ICT System to Link MPs with Electorate | Aug. 14, 2012

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In an effort to reduce the gap between parliamentarians and their constituents, Development partners have developed a communication technology system that will enhance efficiency in people’s representation.

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Interactive Georgian Website Gives Citizens Access to Election Data

An innovative website in Georgia, electionportal.ge, is breaking new ground by pulling together election monitoring information and historical data on voting patterns to help political parties, candidates, civic organizations and academics learn more about the Georgian political process and voter attitudes and behavior.

Though Peru has shown robust economic growth and relative resilience in the face of a global economic slowdown, many Peruvians continue to face a widening socioeconomic divide, poverty and exclusion from political life. Surveys conducted by the polling firm Ipsos Apoyo show that Peruvians harbor growing mistrust and pessimism about their leaders.