Program Overview
Free and fair elections are key to ensuring a democratic transition towards a two-state solution. The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) is widely recognized as the most successful electoral authority in the Middle East. USAID has supported the CEC through its Palestinian Electoral Assistance Program since December 2005. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) carries out the program with support from USAID.
Goals
• Strengthen the development of the electoral framework
• Build CEC staff skills
• Improve the overall technical capacity of the CEC
Successes
Reform of Voter Services
The program supports the CEC’s effort to introduce continuous voter registration that will allow individual voters the opportunity to register throughout the year.
• Developed design of the continuous voter registration process and prepared ground for development of the legal framework
Delimitation of Local Electoral Districts
The program provides expertise and helps to coordinate the Technical Committee for Electoral Districts. The Committee includes representatives of the CEC, the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Planning and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
• Defined boundaries of electoral districts for local elections
• Developed a basis for future local governance reform and amalgamation of local government units
Transparency Standards
The program assists the CEC in developing regulations and procedures that would increase the transparency and accountability behind decision making.
Continuing Education
The program conducts continuing education for CEC staff through the widely recognized BRIDGE training (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections). This highly effective methodology is used by electoral management bodies across the globe.
• Provided training for a third of CEC staff.
• Accredited two CEC staff as the first BRIDGE trainers in West Bank and Gaza.
• Sent senior CEC staff on three study tours to Belfast, Lebanon and the United States to learn about elections in conflict environments and continuous voter registration processes and services.
Targeted Support for Electoral Events
The Program has established a contingency fund to be used for the purchase of commodities and services required for electoral events. This may include, but is not limited to, the publication of printed materials, rental of facilities, or needed expertise. |
