The Carter Center’s nonpartisan election observation partner in Montana, the Montana Election Observation Initiative, released a final statement on Aug. 14 of findings from its pilot project to monitor Missoula County’s June 4 primary election process. Learn more »
Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls upon Venezuela’s National Election Commission, known by the Spanish acronym CNE, to immediately publish the presidential election results at the polling station level. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report from its international election observation mission to the December 2023 general elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Learn more »
The Carter Center will deploy a technical election observation mission to Venezuela in advance of the presidential election scheduled for July 28. Learn more »
The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) and The Carter Center today released “The Disinformation Economy.” Learn more »
The Carter Center and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on May 17 will host panel discussions on guiding principles for election administration and reforms. The participants will examine key issues affecting U.S. elections and potential ways to strengthen elections and build confidence in their outcomes. Learn more »
The Montana Election Observation Initiative (MEOI), a nonpartisan election observation effort supported by The Carter Center, announced today plans to conduct a pilot election observation in Missoula County, Montana during the state’s June 4 primary. Learn more »
The Carter Center joins Election Reformers Network and Protect Democracy in commending the recently published ethics guidelines for election officials by the American Law Institute and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center). Learn more »
The Center’s Democracy Program and Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology are supporting one fellowship during the spring 2024 academic semester for a doctoral candidate researching the intersection of technology and democratic governance. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report from its international election observation mission to Zimbabwe’s Aug. 23 harmonized elections. Learn more »
As U.S. democratic principles are being tested, The Carter Center and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy have proposed guiding principles to ensure that elections are conducted in ways that give Americans greater confidence in their outcomes. Learn more »
The Carter Center is aware of more disinformation falsely attributed to its international election observation mission for the December elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center calls for patience and transparency while election operations continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the Dec. 20 election. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former Interim President of the Central African Republic Catherine Samba-Panza will lead the Center’s mission to observe the Dec. 20 elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Learn more »
The Carter Center is aware of some disinformation about the Dec. 20 elections that has been falsely attributed to the Center. Learn more »
The Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections is a cross-partisan effort to encourage candidates, political parties, and voters to uphold five core doctrines of democratic elections: integrity, nonviolence, security, oversight, and the peaceful transfer of power. Learn more »
The Carter Center has deployed an international electoral expert team to Monrovia to assess key political, electoral, and legal aspects of Liberia’s Oct. 10 general elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it has launched an international election observation mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for Dec. 20. Learn more »
The Carter Center and Team Democracy announced today a new partnership to promote transparent and trustworthy electoral processes in the United States. Learn more »
The Carter Center and 12 U.S. presidential organizations have come together for the first time to reaffirm their commitment to a set of fundamental principles of democracy. Their joint statement released today is consistent with the Center’s ongoing work to strengthen democracy in the United States and around the world. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued its preliminary statement on the Aug. 23 elections in Zimbabwe, finding that they took place in a restricted political environment with an unlevel playing field and that the election administration lacked independence and transparency in key areas, undermining the credibility of the process. Learn more »
Despite the Zimbabwean government’s invitation to launch an election observation mission for the Aug. 23 elections, 30 of the Carter Center’s 48 short-term observers still have not received accreditation from Zimbabwean authorities. Learn more »
On September 23, Paige Alexander, chief executive officer of The Carter Center, and Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, will discuss Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter and the close friendship and working relationship that developed between the former rivals. In a conversation at the Ford Presidential Foundation and Presidential Center, titled “Rebuilding Trust, Restoring Institutions,” the two will discuss what their example teaches us today about the path to restore public trust in elections and democracy and to rebuild institutions. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria, will lead the Center’s international election observation mission in Zimbabwe. Learn more »
Following the conclusion of the tabulation process, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) released final results for parliamentary, mayoral, and local government elections in the first days of July showing unusual variances compared to the results of the presidential race released on June 27. This heightens doubts about the credibility of the tabulation process and the results from the June 24 election. Learn more »
In a follow-up to the preliminary statement issued yesterday on the Sierra Leone elections, The Carter Center once again strongly urges the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish election results by polling station so that parties and observers can cross-verify data, in accordance with international best practice. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center expresses concern about transparency and calls for calm as the tabulation of results is underway in Sierra Leone’s June 24 election. Learn more »
As the first day of tabulation draws to a close following the June 24 election in Sierra Leone, The Carter Center expresses concern about reports indicating a lack of transparency during parts of the tabulation process. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hume will lead the Center’s international election observation mission in Sierra Leone. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Sierra Leone in advance of the country’s national elections scheduled for June 24. The Center was invited to observe this year’s elections by the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL). Learn more »
Former President Jimmy Carter’s legacy of promoting free and fair elections at home and abroad will be discussed at a May 1 event hosted by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and The Carter Center. Learn more »
The Carter Center is alarmed by the Tunisian government’s arrests of several political actors in recent weeks as well as its denial of request for peaceful protests. These actions represent a direct and increasing threat to democratic institutions in Tunisia. Learn more »
The Carter Center, with the support of the Embassy of Ireland in Zambia, is releasing a new edition of the Election Obligations and Standards (EOS) manual, with a launch event that will be held in Lusaka, Zambia, on March 28. Learn more »
The Carter Center and the Embassy of Sweden in Zambia, with support from Irish and Finnish partners, are bringing together civil society actors, government officials, and other stakeholders in Lusaka on March 31 to discuss strategies to ensure equal participation and representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in politics in Zambia. “Securing a Seat at the Table: Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities as Influencers and Decision-Makers,” will take place just after the second global Summit for Democracy. Learn more »
The Jan. 29 runoff election for Tunisia’s parliament again failed to motivate voters, underscoring the Tunisian people’s rejection of the political process initiated by the president on July 25, 2021. Learn more »
The Carter Center condemns today’s violent assault on the offices of Brazil’s three constitutional powers: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, which provide the foundation of the country’s democracy. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center called upon all Tunisian stakeholders to put aside their differences and engage in a truly inclusive and transparent national dialogue to reset the country’s stalled democratic transition. Learn more »
The Carter Center, which serves as the Independent Observer of the implementation of Mali’s 2015 peace agreement, released a new report today that focuses on the reconciliation, justice, and humanitarian issues laid out in Title V of the agreement. Learn more »
Georgia’s risk-limiting audit process examining the 2022 secretary of state race was transparent and well-conducted, with only minor problems that can be corrected through more standardization and training, The Carter Center said in a preliminary report issued today. Learn more »
The Carter Center is concerned by the decision of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors to delay certification of the county election results, which has the potential to disenfranchise the 47,284 county residents who voted in the 2022 midterm election. Learn more »
Following accreditation by the Georgia secretary of state’s office, The Carter Center will observe the risk-limiting audit of the results of Georgia’s Nov. 8 secretary of state race. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued a statement on its assessment of training for Election Day poll workers in Arizona, drawing on limited in-person observation and a desk review of poll worker training materials. Learn more »
The Carter Center’s electoral expert mission has concluded its in-country assessment of Brazil’s presidential election. The mission focused on issues related to the function and transparency of the voting technology systems, disinformation about the use of those systems, and the legal framework governing the use of voting technology. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched a mission to observe the process surrounding the Dec. 17 parliamentary elections in Tunisia. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a preliminary statement detailing its observation of the logic and accuracy testing of Arizona’s voting and counting equipment, which took place Oct. 5-11. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy nonpartisan election observers to Fulton County, Georgia, to observe the 2022 midterm election. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Superior Electoral Court and Brazilian voters and electoral stakeholders for the successful general election held on Oct. 2. Learn more »
Governor Brian Kemp, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams and Shane T. Hazel are the latest Georgia political candidates to sign on to the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center today officially launched the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections initiative, a bipartisan effort to encourage candidates, political parties, and voters to uphold five core doctrines of democratic elections: integrity, nonviolence, security, oversight, and the peaceful transfer of power. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the preliminary report from its expert mission to Kenya’s Aug. 9 presidential election, which focuses on the use of election technology and finds that significant progress was made in using technology to enhance the transparency and verifiability of the election process. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy an international electoral expert mission team for the 2022 presidential election in Brazil. As part of this effort, the Center will send a small team to the election systems sealing ceremony in Brasilia on Friday. Learn more »
In the midst of a hyper-partisan political environment, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in Georgia have found something to work on together: democracy. Learn more »
The Carter Center today deployed a four-person election expert mission to Nairobi to assess key issues regarding the use and perception of election technology in Kenya’s 2022 presidential election. Learn more »
The Carter Center condemns the executions carried out today by the State Administration Council in Myanmar. The resumption of the death penalty in Myanmar after a moratorium of decades is a sad and unnecessary step back. The Carter Center expresses its condolences to the families of the four men who were executed and compassion for all those suffering as the result of the military coup d’état. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a report from its electoral expert mission to Colombia’s 2022 presidential election. It includes recommendations for improving future electoral processes, with a particular emphasis on reforming electoral administration and campaign financing. Learn more »
Colombia’s recent presidential elections (first round on May 29 and runoff on June 19) were conducted in an orderly fashion, and the results of the final round were accepted quickly by both candidates, a Carter Center election expert mission concluded. Nevertheless, the Center has several preliminary recommendations to improve Colombia’s electoral system. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deploying an international electoral expert mission to Bogota today to assess important aspects of the presidential election in Colombia. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deploying an international electoral expert mission to Manila to assess important aspects of the May 9 general elections in the Philippines. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report from its international election expert mission to Palestine’s 2022 local council elections. The Center’s election expert mission was limited in size and scope, focusing its assessment on three sets of issues: the legal and administrative framework for the elections; the degree of political engagement, competition, and respect for participatory rights; and the implications of the municipal elections for future elections in Palestine. The team did not conduct a thorough assessment of election-day voting and counting processes, nor of the electoral process as a whole. Learn more »
Palestinians living in large cities in the West Bank went to the polls on March 26 in a peaceful and well-administered exercise to elect municipal councils. A Carter Center election expert mission found that virtually all the major cities in the West Bank experienced competitive electoral contests, notwithstanding a formal boycott by Hamas and a highly challenging political and electoral environment, marked by frequent human rights violations, including intimidation and harassment of political actors. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on participants in the Summit for Democracy to prioritize the protection of human rights defenders and voices of dissent as they face increased attacks throughout the world. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the preliminary report from its international electoral expert mission on Venezuela’s regional and municipal elections. Learn more »
A group of pro-democracy institutions and organizations working globally to support human rights defenders, independent media, civil society, elections, and democratic transformations agreed to address these Five Messages to leading democracies on the occasion of the Summit for Democracy. We believe these issues are of key importance for advancing democracy worldwide. Learn more »
The Carter Center will deploy a limited international electoral expert mission to Caracas to assess key aspects of the electoral process surrounding Venezuela’ s Nov. 21 regional and municipal elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center today published “The Big Lie and Big Tech,” a new report that details the role played by “repeat offenders”—media known to repeatedly publish false and misleading information—in spreading election fraud narratives in online echo chambers during the 2020 election. Learn more »
When President Kaïs Saïed invoked Article 80 of the constitution on July 25 and then issued Decree 117 on Sept. 22, he effectively undid the constitutional order set out in the 2014 Constitution and gave himself unchecked control over all levers of governmental authority. His unilateral decisions undermine fundamental democratic principles in general and those set out in the 2014 Constitution in particular and threaten the democratic aspirations of the Tunisian people. Learn more »
The Carter Center is partnering with the Liberia Election Observation Network (LEON) on a new, three-year project to advance democratic governance in Liberia. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on the Palestinian Authority to halt its crackdown on fundamental freedoms and engage in meaningful dialogue with political and civil society leaders to reschedule genuine and inclusive elections in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Learn more »
The Carter Center, which serves as the Independent Observer of Mali’s 2015 peace agreement, today released a new report that notes improved dialogue between the agreement’s signatories in recent months, while also highlighting the lack of progress on the most important issues and suggesting ways to make headway on implementing the agreement. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its preliminary report on Zambia’s Aug. 12 general elections, which were successful despite the unlevel playing field and the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more »
On Aug. 12 at approximately 1:55 p.m., Internet users in Zambia lost access to WhatsApp. Shortly after, they became unable to access Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Messenger as well. All these services remain unavailable without use of a virtual private network. Learn more »
The Carter Center has deployed the first two members of its international electoral expert mission to Lusaka to assess the process surrounding Zambia’s Aug. 12 general elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply saddened to confirm that John Marsh, a contractor responsible for managing the Center’s social media monitoring project in Ethiopia, died unexpectedly Monday, June 21, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report from its electoral expert team on Bolivia’s Oct. 18, 2020, general elections. The report commends the work of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, known by its Spanish acronym, TSE, for conducting a complex election process with independence, impartiality, and transparency, paving the way to return to the constitutional framework. The report also highlights the record participation and intense competition, which happened despite the political tensions and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more »
While the 2019 elections were successful in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power, the country’s newly elected officials have failed to address the country’s significant political, economic, and social challenges. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued its final report on Georgia’s risk-limiting audit of the November 2020 presidential race, commending the process and saying that it should serve as the basis for increased confidence in the state’s electoral system. Learn more »
Next week, The Carter Center and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy are launching “The Carter-Baker Commission: 16 Years Later,” a series of five virtual events focused on key issues affecting U.S. elections and potential reforms. Learn more »
— In 1962, I ran to represent the 14th Senate District in the Georgia legislature. I won my Senate seat, but only after the courts ruled that a ballot box had been illegally “stuffed” with votes for my opponent. My experience with our election system was one of the reasons Rosalynn and I created The Carter Center. Since 1989, we have observed 113 elections in 39 countries and helped build consensus on standards for democratic elections, perhaps the most fundamental of which are the rights to vote and be elected. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center presented their initial findings following the observation of the election of members of the National Assembly which took place on March 6, 2021. Learn more »
The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center announced today in a press briefing the continuation of their International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) in Côte d'Ivoire and the deployment of 24 short-term international electoral observers to observe the conduct of the March 6, 2021, legislative elections. Learn more »
Our country’s long and proud history of peaceful and democratic transitions is being tested by the events unfolding inside the U.S. Capitol, which was put on lockdown after protestors stormed the building. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Georgia’s 159 counties and office of the secretary of state on their successful completion of the audit of the Nov. 3 presidential election. The conduct of the audit, which constituted the largest hand tally of an election race in U.S. history, was particularly impressive given that counties had less than 48 hours to prepare for the process, which was carried out in a highly politicized environment and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more »
Following accreditation by the Georgia secretary of state’s office, The Carter Center will monitor the risk-limiting audit taking place in the state of Georgia. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center commended the efforts of the election administration, election contestants, citizen observers, media, and voters to overcome the challenges that COVID-19 presented to the conduct of Myanmar’s general elections. Learn more »
Rosalynn joins me in congratulating our friends President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. We are proud of their well-run campaign and look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges both presidential candidates and Democrat and Republican party leaders to call for calm and patience while we wait for final vote tallies and the resolution of any ensuing recounts or lawsuits. Learn more »
U.S. citizens should be proud of the monumental efforts that have been made to prepare for the 2020 election, even in the face of a global pandemic and threats from malign actors, including foreign adversaries. Learn more »
In a statement released today, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center reported their preliminary findings following their observation of the Oct. 31, 2020, presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire. Learn more »
In a second preelection statement released today, The Carter Center noted that while COVID-19 related restrictions continue to impact the activities of the election administration, political parties, candidates, and observers, the election process remains broadly on course for voting to take place on Nov. 8. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a preliminary report about Bolivia’s Oct. 18 general elections, which saw record participation and intense political competition despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the political tensions that have roiled the country in the past year. Learn more »
The International Election Observation Mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center express deep concern about the sharp rise in intercommunity tensions and the increasing level of violence, which have resulted in the deaths of at least eight people and injured several on Oct. 21 in Dabou in the Grand Ponts region. The joint EISA-Carter Center international election observation mission (IEOM) condemns all forms of violence whatever their origin and also the incidents and violence that have occurred throughout the electoral process. Learn more »
The Carter Center has joined the Georgia Secretary of State’s new Georgia Bipartisan Task Force on Safe, Secure, and Accessible Elections. Learn more »
Today marks the beginning of the election campaign, paving the way for a crucial stage in the electoral process before the presidential election on Oct. 31. The International Election Observation Mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa and The Carter Center deplores the loss of life and condemns the violence that has engulfed the electoral process, particularly during August 2020. Learn more »
The Carter Center this month will conduct a nationwide survey of Sudanese youth’s attitudes and perceptions of the ongoing political transition and plans to publicly share its findings in early 2021. Learn more »
In a preelection statement released today, The Carter Center commended the Union Election Commission for keeping the election process on track despite the extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19. Learn more »
The Carter Center is presenting a virtual Conversations at The Carter Center event on the U.S. election featuring Michael Chertoff, former U.S. secretary of homeland security; Kevin Johnson, senior member of the Carter Center’s U.S. election expert study team and executive director of Election Reformers Network, and Jennifer Morrell, partner at The Elections Group. Suzanne Malveaux of CNN will moderate. Learn more »
Two members of the Carter Center’s expert election team arrived in La Paz Saturday to continue in the field their analysis of the Bolivian electoral process, which the team has been carrying out remotely for two months. Learn more »
The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), together with the Carter Center (TCC), announces the arrival and deployment of a Long-Term International Electoral Observation Mission (IEOM) to observe the presidential election of October 31, 2020 and the upcoming legislative elections in Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The mission received accreditation from the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on August 19, 2020. Learn more »
Following accreditation by the Union Election Commission, The Carter Center is launching an international election observation mission to Myanmar’s Nov. 8 general elections. Learn more »
In response to diverse news reports about his views on absentee ballots, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said today, “I approve the use of absentee ballots and have been using them for more than five years.” Learn more »
Recognizing the scale of the challenges facing democratic elections in the U.S., The Carter Center plans to conduct several election-related activities before and after the November election to help build confidence in the process and results. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the people of Belarus for their peaceful protest against an electoral process that is widely viewed as neither credible nor reflective of the will of the people. The Center urges the authorities of Belarus to begin peaceful dialogue with civil society organizations, trade unions, political parties, and other stakeholders to resolve the current crisis, with a view to conducting a new presidential election in line with international commitments and standards Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Guyana Elections Commission and Chairperson Claudette Singh for finalizing the results of the 2020 election. It extends its congratulations to President Irfaan Ali as he assumes Guyana’s highest office and applauds former President David Granger’s statesmanship in recognizing GECOM’s declaration of results. Learn more »
The Carter Center supports the decision by Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal to postpone Bolivia’s election from Sept. 6 to Oct. 18 in response to concerns about the current spread of COVID-19. Learn more »
The controversial 2018 elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscored the urgency of enacting electoral reforms, developed with broad-based consensus, to ensure that CENI operates as a transparent, inclusive, and credible organization that instills public confidence in the electoral process. Unfortunately, these goals have been undermined by the political divisions. Learn more »
Democracies around the world need to adopt new ideas and approaches to ensure the lasting protection of democracy and civil liberties threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report endorsed by The Carter Center that was released today. Learn more »
The Carter Center issued its final report on the 2019 elections this week, highlighting both the Tunisian people’s ability to overcome potentially challenging political circumstances and the election commission’s remarkable work to conduct credible elections under a tight timeframe following the president’s death in office. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Guyana Elections Commission on the completion of the recount process and welcomes the CARICOM report, which indicates that despite minor flaws in the process, the recount results are acceptable and provide the basis for a declaration of results from the March 2 election. Learn more »
As COVID-19 continues to spread in Liberia, The Carter Center has answered the request of the government to assist with prevention efforts and mental health support. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply disappointed by the government of Guyana’s decision not to approve its recent requests to allow two accredited international observers to return to Guyana to observe the ongoing recount and the remainder of Guyana’s electoral process. Learn more »
The United States faces a series of critical challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including serious impediments to holding safe, secure, and inclusive elections in November. Many voters across the U.S. are likely to find themselves in areas where the pandemic has not abated and where the health risks involved in going to polling locations will be unacceptably high. Learn more »
The Carter Center’s accredited observation mission remains committed to providing an independent observation of Guyana's electoral process, including the upcoming recount. The Center deployed an observer to Miami who was prepared to travel to Georgetown today, but unfortunately, his flight was denied approval to carry international election observers. Learn more »
After careful consideration, The Carter Center has withdrawn its electoral experts and international observers from Guyana. The Center remains committed to promoting democracy and constitutional reform in Guyana and is willing to return when the electoral process resumes, assuming international travel is feasible. Learn more »
The international observer missions from the Commonwealth, the European Union, and The Carter Center issue the following statement: Learn more »
The international observer missions from the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and The Carter Center issue the following statement. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply concerned about the events that took place today at the Office of the Returning Officer for Region 4 and the decision to announce results that had not been verified. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center commended the people of Guyana for their participation in the March 2 election and encouraged all Guyanese to remain patient and peaceful as GECOM finalizes the results. Learn more »
The Carter Center first became involved in Guyana in the early 1990s at the invitation of President Desmond Hoyte and since then has been dedicated to the advancement of democracy in the country. These elections will be the fifth that The Carter Center has observed in Guyana since 1992, reflecting an ongoing commitment to the consolidation of democracy and a desire for Guyanese to live together in peace, security, and prosperity. Learn more »
Aminata Touré, former prime minister of Senegal, and Jason J. Carter, chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, will co-lead the Carter Center’s international election observation mission in Guyana. Learn more »
Following an invitation from the government of Guyana, The Carter Center has launched an election observation mission to observe the March 2 general election in Guyana. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center commended the Tunisian authorities and its people on the successful completion of the 2019 electoral process and urged Tunisian political leaders to move quickly to form a government before the one-month extension provided by the president expires Jan. 15, 2020. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its findings and recommendations from an election expert mission in the DRC deployed during the 2018 elections. Learn more »
Following letters of invitation from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Election Board and principal chief, The Carter Center deployed a small team of three international electoral experts to observe elections in Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) for principal chief, second chief, and members of the National Council. The Center deployed observers to the Nov. 2, 2019, primary election and the Dec. 14, 2019, general election. Learn more »
Following letters of invitation from the election board and principal chief, The Carter Center deployed a small team of observers to the Nov. 2 primary election in Muscogee (Creek) Nation for the tribe’s principal chief, second chief, and members of the National Council. A general election is anticipated on December 14, 2019. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Democratic Republic of Congo for being recognized by the International Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Board as having made “meaningful progress” in improving extractive sector transparency. Learn more »
Following letters of invitation from the election board and principal chief, The Carter Center is preparing to deploy a small team of observers to the Nov. 2 primary election in Muscogee (Creek) Nation as well as a general election anticipated in December. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center commended the Tunisian people and its election administration on the successful completion of the 2019 electoral cycle and their deep commitment to the democratic process, which required them to cast ballots in three successive elections in less than a month. Learn more »
The Carter Center condemns the murder of Anastacio Matavele, the head of a nonpartisan election observation organization in Mozambique, and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center commended the Tunisian election administration for conducting a well-run parliamentary election and expressed concern about the low voter turnout and a perceived lack of public confidence in the institution of parliament to realize the goals of the 2011 revolution. Learn more »
Dozens of short-term observers arrived in Tunis this week to join the Carter Center’s international election observation mission for Tunisia's parliamentary election. Tana de Zulueta, a former member of Italy’s parliament, and Karen AbuZayd, a commissioner on the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, will co-lead the delegation of more than 90 observers. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a preliminary statement about Tunisia’s Sept. 15 presidential election, which provided Tunisia with an opportunity to reinvigorate the country’s political transition, strengthen its democratic culture, and refocus on reforms that will improve the lives of its citizens. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a pre-election statement offering an assessment of the pre-election period for Tunisia’s 2019 elections, which was marked by the death of President Beji Caïd Essebsi and the arrest of businessman and presidential candidate, Nabil Karoui. The statement looks at amendments to the electoral law as well as at voter registration and candidate nominations. It also offers preliminary recommendations to electoral stakeholders. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an election observation mission to observe the Sept. 15 presidential and Oct. 6 parliamentary elections in Tunisia. The Center has monitored several legislative and political processes during the country’s democratic transition following the revolution, starting with its observation of the 2011 National Constituent Assembly elections. The High Independent Authority for Elections (ISIE) has invited and accredited the Center to observe the national elections this year. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a report analyzing the resolution of electoral disputes stemming from Kenya’s 2017 presidential and parliamentary elections, which found that lower courts faced significant challenges in assessing consistently whether alleged electoral violations were substantial enough to warrant annulment of election results. Learn more »
A Carter Center delegation led by Jason J. Carter, chairman of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, has been in Guyana this week meeting with key stakeholders to learn about the current challenges facing Guyana and to assess whether the Center could assist Guyanese going forward. Learn more »
In advance of International Women’s Day on March 8, a Carter Center brief highlights the need for Kenya’s Parliament to take action to facilitate women’s active and effective participation in civic and political affairs. While Kenya’s 2010 Constitution introduced progressive provisions to support women’s inclusion in elected and appointed bodies, Parliament has failed to pass the necessary implementing legislation to ensure more balanced gender representation at the national level. Learn more »
Because of discrepancies between the official preliminary election results in the DRC and the results reported by some domestic observers and parties, The Carter Center expresses concern about the potential for insecurity and conflict and asks all political leaders to call on their supporters to refrain from violence and to pursue any challenges to the election results through legal channels. Learn more »
As the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo await the preliminary results of the Dec. 30 election, The Carter Center calls on all stakeholders to remain patient while the tabulation of final results is completed and urges election officials to ensure that the process proceeds transparently. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report from its observation mission of Liberia’s 2017 elections, outlining key findings and offering recommendations for reform to strengthen Liberia’s electoral process. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its Youth and Women’s Consultations on Political Participation in Kenya report, which outlines key challenges women and youth face when trying to participate in politics and offers detailed recommendations for strengthening their political engagement in future elections. Learn more »
The sustainability of democracy depends, in large part, on the establishment of institutions to protect Tunisians’ constitutional rights and freedoms, including independent constitutional authorities and a Constitutional Court. Learn more »
The Carter Center released its final comprehensive Kenya 2017 election observation report today, which outlines its key findings and offers recommendations for reform to strengthen Kenya’s electoral processes, including new annexes that lay out the Center’s findings on women’s participation and on the use of information and communications technology in elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses grave concern about post-election tensions and the violent clashes that occurred today between armed security forces and protestors in Harare, which resulted in multiple casualties. Learn more »
A Carter Center report issued today by its expert electoral mission for the March 7 general elections in Sierra Leone urges the two main parties to support a peaceful and genuine process for the runoff scheduled for March 27. Learn more »
The Carter Center released its final election report today, presenting its comprehensive findings from Kenya’s 2017 electoral period and offering recommendations to help strengthen Kenya’s future electoral processes. Learn more »
The Carter Center has deployed a team of electoral experts to assess the process surrounding Sierra Leone’s March 7 presidential, parliamentary, and local elections. Learn more »
The Tunisian Revolution was triggered by disadvantaged populations who demanded a development strategy that was just and sustainable, which would redress unequal development among Tunisia’s regions. Learn more »
This is the Carter Center’s preliminary report on the Dec. 26 voting and counting processes for Liberia’s presidential runoff election. It is important to note that the election process is ongoing and that there are still important steps to be completed before the Center can provide an overall assessment. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued a post-election statement detailing its findings related to Nepal’s vote-counting process. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center said that despite political tensions and logistical and operational challenges, the voting process in Nepal’s 2017 federal and provincial elections has generally been well-conducted. Learn more »
Following letters of invitation from the tribal council, legislature, and election commission, The Carter Center is preparing to deploy a small team of observers to the Dec. 12 general election in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. Learn more »
The Carter Center's election observation mission enters a new phase Saturday with the arrival of the short-term observer delegation in advance of phase two of Nepal’s parliamentary and provincial elections, to be held on Dec. 7. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges all parties to respect today’s unanimous decision by Kenya’s Supreme Court to uphold the results of the Oct. 26 fresh presidential election and calls on political leaders to initiate a process of sustained national dialogue to heal the wounds aggravated by the often tense and tumultuous electoral period. Learn more »
The Carter Center deeply regrets the decision of the Cambodian Supreme Court to dissolve the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. The decision, taken in response to a government-initiated lawsuit, follows a government crackdown on peaceful opposition that has included the arrest of CNRP leader Kem Sokha in early September and the closure of numerous media outlets. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Nepal’s Nov. 26 and Dec. 7 parliamentary and provincial elections. Learn more »
In a statement about Kenya’s Oct. 26 election released today, The Carter Center urged Kenya’s political leaders to engage in constructive dialogue to bridge the gap between the opposition and ruling parties, and their respective supporters, following a tense electoral period. Learn more »
As today’s Supreme Court ruling means a significant delay in the Liberian presidential run-off originally scheduled for Nov. 7, The Carter Center reiterates its call for all political parties to reaffirm their commitments to a peaceful process and ensure that their supporters maintain calm and exercise patience as they await resolution of electoral disputes. Learn more »
As Liberia prepares for a presidential run-off election, The Carter Center acknowledges the historic opportunity for the country to proceed with a peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another. Learn more »
We the Heads of the undersigned international observer missions present in Kenya issue this communiqué on the election rescheduled for the 28th of October. Learn more »
The current political and electoral context in Kenya is marked by increased insecurity, a lack of dialogue, and narrowing prospects for a credible presidential election on Oct. 26. Therefore, The Carter Center urges Kenya’s key political leaders to use the limited time remaining before the scheduled polls to engage in dialogue to find a mutually acceptable way forward so that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) can conduct fresh presidential elections in a peaceful and secure environment. Learn more »
Following invitations from the Cheyenne and Arapaho legislative branch, the Tribal Council, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Election Commission, and with the welcome of Cheyenne and Arapaho citizens, The Carter Center deployed a limited election observation mission of two international election experts to assess the Oct. 3 primary elections in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. Learn more »
In a preliminary statement issued today, The Carter Center commended Liberians for the calm and peaceful atmosphere of their nation’s Oct. 10 election. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued a statement urging Kenya’s political leaders to work with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to come to a consensus on the changes necessary to hold Oct. 26’s presidential election in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court, which ordered the fresh polls. Learn more »
Following letters of invitation from the Tribal Council, Legislature, and Election Commission, The Carter Center is deploying a team of observers to the Oct. 3 primary election in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. The Carter Center respects the tribes’ sovereign status and is conducting this election observation mission with the understanding that these are elections of a sovereign people for their government. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a pre-election statement summarizing key findings from the campaign period and pre-electoral environment in the lead-up to Liberia’s presidential and legislative elections on Oct. 10. Learn more »
As Liberia moves toward its third post-conflict election and a historic transfer of power, the Carter Center’s international election observation mission today released a statement on the process to date, which includes recommendations to ensure a peaceful, credible election. Learn more »
The Carter Center joins Panama in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Learn more »
Following the decision issued today by Kenya’s Supreme Court, The Carter Center commends the court for conducting an open and transparent judicial process, which gave all parties the opportunity to be heard and ensured due process consistent with the constitution and laws of Kenya. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Liberia’s Oct. 10 presidential and legislative elections. Learn more »
Following the release of its Aug. 10 preliminary statement, The Carter Center continues to follow the electoral process in Kenya, including the tallying and public posting of official results and the judicial review of any electoral petitions. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the people of Kenya for the remarkable patience and resolve they demonstrated during the Aug. 8 elections for president, governors, senators, the national assembly, women’s representatives, and county assemblies. Learn more »
We, the heads of the following international observer missions present in Kenya — African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Commonwealth, East African Community (EAC), European Union (EU), International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and The Carter Center — have agreed that ... Learn more »
We the heads of the following international observer missions present in Kenya — African Union (AU), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Commonwealth, East Africa Community (EAC), European Union (EU), International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and The Carter Center... Learn more »
The Carter Center International Observation Mission in Kenya offers its condolences to the family of Mr. Christopher Msando, ICT manager at Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Center’s technical experts enjoyed a productive relationship with Mr. Msando and are personally saddened by the loss. Learn more »
In a pre-election statement released today, The Carter Center commended Kenya’s Independent Election and Boundaries Commission on its efforts to keep the Aug. 8 election on track despite many challenges. Learn more »
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and former Prime Minister of Senegal Aminata Touré will co-lead the Carter Center’s election observation mission in Kenya. The mission will deploy more than 50 observers throughout the country on election day. Learn more »
On May 25, The Carter Center held a forum titled “The Responsibility of Citizens in the Strengthening of Democracy” to discuss the importance of citizen engagement in democratic processes, including domestic electoral observation. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its final report on Guyana’s 2015 general and regional elections. The report summarizes the Carter Center’s observation activities and makes recommendations to the Guyanese authorities to improve future elections to help bring them in line with international standards for democratic elections and Guyana’s own legal framework. Learn more »
At the invitation of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for the country’s Aug. 8 general election. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Myanmar for participating in important by-elections on April 1. The Center did not directly observe the elections, but supported the observation efforts of local partner Election Education and Observation Partners (EEOP). Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed a delegation of international electoral experts to Liberia to assess the voter registration process and the pre-election environment in advance of general elections anticipated in October 2017, when voters will elect a new president and 73 members of the House of Representatives. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the participants of the recent talks held under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Congo (CENCO), including representatives of the presidential majority, opposition, and civil society, whose hard work and perseverance resulted in an inclusive political agreement on Dec. 31, 2016. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends Tunisia’s parliament, the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP), for its efforts to strengthen legal protections for the fundamental rights provided for in the 2014 Constitution and to establish key constitutionally mandated institutions. While important progress has been made in these areas during the last two years, the Center recommends that the ARP take steps to ensure it has full legislative authorities so that it can fulfill its duties to pass important legislation. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the decision by the Ministry of Relations with Constitutional Authorities, Civil Society and Human Rights to launch public consultations in preparation for the Tunisia’s first periodic report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) since the passage of the new constitution in 2014. Learn more »
Recent claims about rigging of U.S. elections are unfounded and irresponsible. Based on our knowledge of the electoral system in the United States and of the many independent analyses of U.S. polling processes, The Carter Center has great confidence in the overall administrative integrity of U.S. elections. Checks and balances within our electoral system exist to protect it against manipulation. These include processes and checks before and after election day to ensure the integrity of the election process, such as pre-election testing of voting technology and postelection audits that take place in some states; the widespread presence of agents from both parties in polling stations; and the broad access to election results given to the media and the public, enabling transparent reviews of the election results. The American electoral process also benefits from the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of poll workers and election officials, who represent both parties and ensure the integrity of the voting and counting process. Learn more »
An article published in Al Akhbar, a Moroccan newspaper, on Sept. 21, makes false allegations against Moroccan preacher Oustada Naima Ben Yaich, who was a participant in a Carter Center workshop earlier in the month. The Carter Center strongly refutes the false allegations in the article entitled, “The preacher Ben Yaich incites international jurists against Moroccan Security Services in a Countering Daesh workshop in Switzerland.” Learn more »
The Carter Center urges the Assembly of the Representatives of the People to move quickly to adopt key amendments to the draft electoral law so that municipal and regional elections can be held as soon as possible. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply concerned about key aspects of the 2016 Zambian electoral process in both the pre- and post-electoral period, especially the failure of Zambia’s institutions to provide a level playing field prior to election day and adequate due process to ensure a fair hearing and effective remedy for electoral petitions filed following the polls. Unfortunately, this represents a significant step backward for Zambia. Learn more »
The Carter Center hopes that today’s decision by the Palestinian High Court of Justice to postpone municipal elections in Gaza and the West Bank will not result in a long delay or the cancelling of these elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report of its assessment of the Nov. 8, 2015, general elections in Myanmar. Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses concerns regarding pre-election environment and urges patience while results come in. Learn more »
The Carter Center, with partners at the National Conference of State Legislatures, today launched a webpage on election observation in the United States. The page houses research that examines access and current regulations for election observers in each of the 50 states, including a state-by-state breakdown of access and accreditation for different types of observers. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Carter Center has launched a limited international election observation mission for Zambia’s Aug. 11 elections and national referendum on the Bill of Rights. Learn more »
In advance of 2017’s key national elections, The Carter Center today released an assessment of the pre-election environment that includes recommendations to help Liberia continue to strengthen its democracy. Learn more »
A Carter Center pre-election assessment team will travel to Liberia next week, following up an earlier visit in April. The team will evaluate the pre-election environment and status of technical preparations in advance of legislative elections scheduled for October 2017. Learn more »
The Carter Center today issued its findings from a limited election observation mission to the Philippines May 9 general elections. Learn more »
ATLANTA — President Daniel Ortega has closed the door to international observation of national elections to be held on November 6, 2016, despite the clamor for observation by a majority of the Nicaraguan people. Learn more »
Myanmar's Union Election Commission has addressed post-election complaints in a transparent manner, The Carter Center said in a statement released today, but the country's new government should address legal and structural issues to make it easier for candidates and citizens to pursue complaints in future elections and to further increase the transparency of the tabulation of results. Learn more »
It has been a little more than a year since Tunisia’s Assembly of the Representatives of the People took up its work. The Carter Center commends the ARP for the important strides it has made in consolidating the rule of law — through the timely implementation of the Provisional Authority for the Control of the Constitutionality of Draft Laws — and for adopting legislation creating the Constitutional Court. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Myanmar on the sitting of the newly elected union and state/regional legislative assemblies. The results of the historic elections on Nov. 8, 2015, delivered a strong mandate to incoming representatives to press forward with Myanmar's ongoing transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center call on the international community to continue providing desperately needed humanitarian support to Nepal and urge the country's political leaders to work quickly to resolve differences over the new constitution. Learn more »
On Dec. 7-9, The Carter Center will bring together more than 40 scholars, activists, and religious leaders to seek ways to combat the abuse and oppression of women and girls, and means of countering interpretations of faith-based teachings that perpetuate inequality and gender-based violence. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Myanmar, who have exercised their political rights with pride and enthusiasm. Both on election day and in the preceding months, they participated as voters, observers, political party agents, election officials, and civil society activists. Learn more »
The Carter Center's election observation mission enters a new phase Wednesday with the arrival of more than 50 short-term observers in advance of the Nov. 8 general election. The delegation will be co-led by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, former chairman of Nepal's Election Commission Bhojraj Pokharel, and incoming chairman of the Carter Center's Board of Trustees Jason Carter. Learn more »
On Oct. 21, The Carter Center sent a small, high-level political delegation to Guatemala City for Sunday's run-off presidential election. The presence of the delegation did not constitute an electoral observation but was an expression of the international community's high interest in Guatemala's democratic process. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its latest statement on Myanmar's pre-election activities, making recommendations to help ensure a democratic process in the days to come. Learn more »
On Oct. 21, The Carter Center will send a small, high-level political delegation to Guatemala City ahead of Sunday's runoff presidential election. The delegation will be led by Jorge Castañeda, a former Mexican minister of foreign affairs, and John Maisto, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States — both members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter — and by Jennie Lincoln, director of the Center's Americas Program. Learn more »
The Carter Center and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter congratulate the National Dialogue Quartet on the 2015 Nobel Prize for Peace. The peace prize is testament to the Quartet's success in steering Tunisia through deadlock and crisis to the adoption of the constitution and peaceful, credible, democratic elections. Learn more »
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and The Carter Center have entered into a memorandum of understanding to guide a partnership based on the common mission of strengthening the quality of elections and democracy. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the important announcement made by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, on Sept. 23. The major breakthroughs that were reached on the issues of victims, transitional justice, and disarmament, as well as the commitment to an immediate, bilateral cease-fire and to sign a final peace agreement within six months, represent an historic progress to end the country's 51-year war. Learn more »
As The Carter Center marks 10 years as an original endorser of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, its Democracy Program has launched a new project aimed at supporting those working to improve the quality of elections in the United States. Learn more »
The Carter Center election observation mission has deployed field teams to observe the electoral campaign, which officially started on Sept. 8. The first week of campaigning, as observed by the Center in three states, was peaceful, and parties report being able to conduct their campaign activities without significant difficulty. Learn more »
The Carter Center's high-level political delegation to the Sept. 6 general elections in Guatemala found these elections to be distinct, not only in regard to Guatemala's electoral history, but also in the context of the region. Learn more »
After its first contact with electoral authorities and other Guatemalan stakeholders, the Carter Center's high-level political delegation has found an extraordinary climate of peace and civic commitment despite the complex political moment through the country has experienced. In this spirit, we encourage all citizens to vote in peace and with democratic conviction, sure that in this new stage, an election with high voter turnout will fortify Guatemala's transformation. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Guatemalan Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), The Carter Center will send a small, high-level political delegation to the Sept. 6 general elections in Guatemala. Learn more »
Leaders of The Asia Foundation, The Carter Center, Democracy International, Freedom House, IREX, and World Learning met in Washington today to discuss their enhanced cooperation in programs worldwide to advance democratic elections and political transitions. Learn more »
A number of important steps have been taken in the election process since March 2015, according to a Carter Center monitoring mission report released today. Observer accreditation procedures have been finalized, a large number of political parties have announced intentions to compete, and most parties have signed a code of conduct. Learn more »
Tunisia's new counterterrorism law imperils human rights and lacks the necessary safeguards against abuse, eight nongovernmental organizations said today. The law grants security forces broad and vague monitoring and surveillance powers, extends incommunicado detention from 6 to up to 15 days for terrorism suspects, and permits courts to close hearings to the public and allow witnesses to remain anonymous to the defendants. Learn more »
The Carter Center was informed on June 16 of the decision by the Cherokee Nation Election Commission not to extend an invitation to The Carter Center to observe the upcoming elections. While the Center regrets this news, it respects the commission's decision and will not deploy an observer team for the elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Supreme Constitutional Court's decision to reject the request from parliamentarians to impeach President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its final preliminary statement on Guyana's May 11 general and regional elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center has released its final report summarizing its findings and highlighting the genuine and competitive nature of the 2014 legislative and presidential elections in Tunisia. The three rounds of elections were the latest steps in a transition to democracy that grew from a spark in December 2010 to the peaceful ouster of the authoritarian Ben Ali regime in January 2011. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has urged Guyana's election commission to release election results and called on political leaders to act responsibly. Learn more »
Tunisian legislators should drop problematic provisions from a new security bill, 13 nongovernmental organizations said in a joint statement today. Learn more »
On May 11, Guyanese citizens turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in what is probably the most important election since the watershed elections of 1992. Guyanese voters waited patiently in long lines from early in the morning until into the evening. All across the country, thousands of dedicated poll workers, party agents, and officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) served with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. GECOM officials and poll workers are to be commended for these efforts. Learn more »
President Carter was not feeling well and has departed Guyana to return to Atlanta today. The Carter Center election observation mission in Guyana is continuing its work and will keep him informed of developments. Learn more »
Guyana's electoral preparations appear to be on track in most of the country, according to early Carter Center observer reports, which also expressed deep concern about divisive campaign rhetoric. Learn more »
Guyana's electoral preparations appear to be on track in most of the country, according to early Carter Center observer reports, which also expressed deep concern about divisive campaign rhetoric. Learn more »
In the wake of the devastating earthquake and ongoing rescue and recovery operations in Nepal, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter calls on the international community to redouble efforts to support Nepal and to develop clear plans for long-term assistance and rebuilding. Learn more »
After two years of deliberation and negotiation, Tunisia adopted its new constitution in January 2014. Today, The Carter Center released its comprehensive report on the constitution and the deliberative process that culminated in its adoption, as well as recommendations for next steps in its implementation. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Guyana's May 11 elections at the invitation of the government of Guyana. Learn more »
Myanmar's Union Election Commission is making efforts to improve the transparency and integrity of the electoral process in advance of the 2015 general elections, according to a Carter Center monitoring mission report released today. However, a number of key challenges need to be addressed in order to ensure that the upcoming elections earn the confidence of voters, political parties, and civil society organizations. Learn more »
In the run-up to Lesotho's national elections on Feb. 28, The Carter Center encourages all political parties and leaders to ensure a peaceful electoral process and respect for the democratic process. Learn more »
ATLANTA — Leading members of the election and human rights communities will come together today at The Carter Center for the first major meeting between the two groups. Co-chaired by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and U.N. Assistant Secretary General Ivan Šimonović, the Human Rights and Election Standards Conference will provide participants an opportunity to reflect on areas of common interest between the two communities. Participants will also discuss potential future cooperation and will advance solutions to technical and political challenges to electoral reform at the national, regional, and international levels. Learn more »
Early Carter Center observer reports indicate that Tunisia has successfully completed its first democratic election cycle under the new constitution with Dec. 21's final round of the presidential election. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Tunisia's Dec. 21 presidential runoff, its third such effort in 2014. Learn more »
Tunisian citizens voted in a genuine and competitive election on Nov. 23, the country's first presidential elections under the new constitution. This presidential election further consolidates Tunisia's democratic transition following a long and sometimes contentious transition period. Learn more »
In recent weeks, as the Jan. 22 deadline to promulgate a new constitution approaches, Nepal's constitution-making process has become increasingly polarized. The Carter Center urges all parties to recommit to the spirit of consensus upon which the peace process and constituent assembly are founded and to find broadly acceptable compromises to bring constitution-making to a successful close. Learn more »
Under the accreditation of the Instance Supérieure Indépendante pour les Élections (ISIE) of Tunisia, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Tunisia's presidential election on Nov. 23. Learn more »
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and The Carter Center today launched two publications that break new ground on reviewing and assessing legal frameworks for elections. Learn more »
Tunisia's historic legislative elections on Oct. 26 were carried out in a calm, orderly, and transparent manner throughout the country. In a preliminary statement released by The Carter Center today, election observers reported that many Tunisians waited patiently in long lines to exercise their right to vote in the first election carried out under the new Tunisian constitution adopted in January 2014. Learn more »
Following observation of the pre-election environment and election day itself, 54 observers from The Carter Center and the Electoral Institute of Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) remained deployed across the country to observe the immediate post-election period, including tabulation and certification of results at the district and provincial levels, as well as the complaints process. Learn more »
The Carter Center is joining forces with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance to launch two new election manuals Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the United Nations in New York. Learn more »
Under the accreditation of the Instance Supérieure Indépendante pour les Élections (ISIE) of Tunisia, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Tunisia's legislative election on Oct. 26. Former Yemen Prime Minister Abdel Karim Al-Eryani will lead the mission. Learn more »
The Carter Center and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) deployed a team of 87 observers representing 40 countries to observe Mozambique's Oct. 15, 2014, presidential, national assembly, and provincial elections at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it has closed its field office in Egypt after nearly three years and that it will not deploy an observation mission to assess Egypt's parliamentary elections anticipated later this year. This decision reflects The Carter Center's assessment that the political environment is deeply polarized and that political space has narrowed for Egyptian political parties, civil society, and the media. As a result, the upcoming elections are unlikely to advance a genuine democratic transition in Egypt. Both Egyptian civil society and international organizations face an increasingly restrictive environment that hinders their ability to conduct credible election observation. Learn more »
The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and The Carter Center welcome today's confirmation by Mozambique's National Election Commission (CNE) that the entire electoral process, in all its phases, is subject to observation. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Mozambique's presidential, legislative, and provincial assembly elections on Oct. 15, at the invitation of the government of Mozambique. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the concerted efforts taken by electoral authorities, civil society organizations, and political parties to prepare for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Learn more »
At a small event today, The Carter Center formally marked the transfer of its Nepal observation research database to Social Science Baha, a Kathmandu-based nonprofit organization that promotes and enhances the study and research of social sciences in Nepal. Learn more »
The Carter Center has named Pewee Flomoku as the first Liberian chief of party for its office in Liberia, effective today. A veteran Liberian journalist, Flomoku will lead both general office operations and its Access to Justice Project. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed on July 7 an international election observation mission for Tunisia's national elections on Oct. 26 and Nov. 23, 2014. Following its observation of the October 2011 National Constituent Assembly elections, The Carter Center monitored the constitution-making process and developments related to the establishment of institutional and legal frameworks for subsequent elections. Learn more »
Based on a recent field assessment, The Carter Center reports that while Nepal's second constituent assembly has made commendable progress to prepare a new constitution in a spirit of compromise, many Nepalis are concerned about the slow pace of the process to date, a perceived lack of engagement by senior political leaders on contentious issues, and the persistence of long-term risks to the credibility of the political process. Learn more »
As violence and instability continue to dominate the political scene in Libya, The Carter Center urges all stakeholders to cease hostilities, engage in comprehensive dialogue, and recommit to the democratic process. Learn more »
In view of the reelection of magistrates to the Nicaraguan Supreme Electoral Council (CSE) announced by media outlets last month, The Carter Center, which is committed to the welfare of the Nicaraguan people and to the legitimacy and vitality of democracy and human rights in Nicaragua, hereby publicly expresses its concern over this decision, which is a significant lost opportunity for this country to strengthen its battered electoral institutions. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released the final report of the study mission that was deployed to Venezuela for the April 14, 2013, presidential elections. The report provides an extensive study of both election day as well as the pre- and post-election periods, including the results of the post-electoral audit process of the electoral system and the challenges to election results presented by the opposition. Learn more »
The Carter Center is concerned about the restrictive political and legal context surrounding Egypt's electoral process, the lack of a genuinely competitive campaign environment, and the deep political polarization that threatens the country's transition as May 26-27 presidential elections quickly approach. Learn more »
In light of the historical interest of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Panama's democracy and well-being, The Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter closely followed the electoral process and sent a small, high-level delegation to the May 4 general elections. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Panamanian Electoral Tribunal, The Carter Center will send a small high-level delegation to the May 4 national elections in Panama. The delegation will be led by two members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, former Colombia President Andrés Pastrana and former foreign minister of Mexico Jorge Castañeda, and will include Dr. Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas Program at The Carter Center; Marcelo Varela-Erasheva, the program's associate director; Ana Caridad, a program associate; and electoral expert Ricardo Valverde. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed a team of electoral experts to assess the process surrounding upcoming presidential elections in Egypt, including the ongoing legal and political context. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly for its efforts to advance electoral reform. The draft legislation under consideration in the assembly makes improvements in Tunisia's legal framework for voter registration and media and campaign finance regulation for the anticipated 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center released today a statement tracing the evolution of key issues in the text of Tunisia's constitution and highlighting elements, including measures to protect citizens from discrimination, provide security of tenure for judges, and safeguard fundamental freedoms during a state of emergency, which should be strengthened. Tunisian authorities should take legislative action to address these concerns. Learn more »
El Centro Carter aplaude los esfuerzos para abrir un canal de comunicación entre el gobierno y los sectores de la oposición venezolana facilitados por el grupo de cancilleres de la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (UNASUR) y el Vaticano. Learn more »
The Carter Center encourages Egyptians to initiate an inclusive political dialogue and to consider future amendments to the constitution to strengthen the core principles of democratic governance and bring the constitution better into alignment with Egypt's international political and human rights obligations. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center reports that public perception of local governance has improved over the past year. However, mismanagement of local-level budgets and the persistent role of political parties in influencing local development priorities remain, posing a significant challenge to local development and governance. Learn more »
The Carter Center's long-standing support for the people of Sudan will continue through activities to advance peace, democracy, and health. The Carter Center's Health Program office continues to operate as it undertakes health promotion and disease prevention projects. Learn more »
The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter repudiate the events that occurred during and after the peaceful demonstrations by student organizations on Feb. 12, 2014, in Venezuela. The group laments the loss of life and the wounded, and expresses its strong condemnation of the detention of more than 100 students, some of whom reported violations of their physical integrity. Learn more »
The Carter Center is conducting a small expert mission in Libya to assess the legal framework, key issues related to the administration and preparation of elections, and the overall political environment ahead of Feb. 20 elections for the Constitutional Drafting Assembly. These elections represent an important stage in the country's transition to democracy. Learn more »
The Carter Center encourages Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly and new electoral management body, the High Authority for the Elections (ISIE), to carefully consider next steps as they work toward democratic goals. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Tunisian National Constituent Assembly members and the Tunisian people on the promulgation of its new constitution. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, The Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter sent a delegation Jan. 14-18 to learn about the electoral conditions leading up to the May 4 national elections. Learn more »
Following today's announcement of final presidential election results, The Carter Center congratulates the people of Madagascar on reaching this key milestone and urges continued commitment to peace and reconciliation. Learn more »
As Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly (NCA) prepares to discuss the chapter on the judicial powers in a new constitution, Al Bawsala, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and The Carter Center urge members to strengthen guarantees for judicial independence. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Tunisian National Constituent Assembly and incoming election commissioners on their election to the new Instance Supérieure Indépendante pour les Elections (ISIE). Learn more »
On Jan. 14-15, Egyptians will go to the polls to vote on constitutional arrangements for the third time in less than three years. While The Carter Center supports the strong desire of Egyptians to move forward with a transition to an elected civilian government, the Center is deeply concerned about the polarized environment and the narrowed political space surrounding the upcoming referendum, as well as the lack of an inclusive process for drafting and publicly debating the draft constitution. Learn more »
Tunisia should bring its nearly completed draft constitution in line with international human rights standards and the country's obligations under international law, four human rights organizations said today. The National Constituent Assembly (NCA) will begin voting on the constitution article by article on Jan. 3, 2014. Learn more »
Tunisia's political leaders have devoted substantial efforts over the past several months to overcome the country's political crisis. Following the selection of a new candidate for prime minister, The Carter Center urges the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) to prioritize the creation of a new election commission while debates on the constitution and an electoral law are ongoing. Learn more »
On Dec. 20, Madagascar held legislative elections and the second round of presidential elections. Following a protracted political crisis, these elections offer an opportunity that we are hopeful will reinstate a democratically-elected government, enable Madagascar to rejoin the community of nations, and provide a foundation through which to address the prolonged humanitarian crisis that has continued to escalate within recent years. Learn more »
The Carter Center published today a report of its observations of Nepal's counting process, concluding that the process was largely conducted according to procedures and that the Election Commission of Nepal has announced credible results to the Nov. 19 constituent assembly election. Other key findings of the report include: Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed a team of electoral experts to assess Egypt's constitution-building process, including the ongoing legal and political context. Learn more »
The Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, following up on the 2013 electoral process in Honduras, recognize the willingness and openness shown by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to address the concerns, questions, and complaints posed by various political actors and parties. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal, The Carter Center sent a high-level delegation to the country's Nov. 24 electoral process. The delegation was led by two members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, former Presidents Carlos Mesa of Bolivia and Martin Torrijos of Panama, and Dr. Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas Program at The Carter Center. Learn more »
The Carter Center finds that Nepal's Nov. 19 constituent assembly election was conducted remarkably well, especially in the face of attempts by boycotting parties to disrupt the process through violence. The Election Commission of Nepal estimated the voter turnout at more than 70 percent. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal, The Carter Center will send a small high-level delegation to the Nov. 24 national elections in Honduras. The delegation will be led by two members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, former Presidents Carlos Mesa of Bolivia and Martin Torrijos of Panama, and will include Dr. Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas program at The Carter Center, and Marcelo Varela-Erasheva, the program's associate director. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai will co-lead the Carter Center's delegation to observe Nepal's Nov. 19 constituent assembly election. The Center's mission will include more than 50 observers representing 27 nations deployed throughout the country. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center offered a series of recommendations to Nepal's election commission, candidates and parties, and government to support the conduct of a credible constituent assembly election on Nov. 19. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Madagascar's national elections on Oct. 25 and Dec. 20, at the invitation of the country's National Independent Electoral Commission of the Transition (CENI-T). Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center applauds the Election Commission of Nepal's efforts to finalize a new voter roll for the constituent assembly elections on Nov. 19, 2013, while also identifying areas of concern such as potential voters who have not been registered. Learn more »
The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Nepal's Nov. 19, 2013, constituent assembly election at the invitation of Interim Election Council Chair Khil Raj Regmi and the Election Commission of Nepal and the welcome of political parties. Learn more »
The Carter Center strongly condemns the assassination of Mohamed Brahmi, a National Constituent Assembly deputy and leader of the Popular Currant (Courant Populaire, El Tayyar El Chaabi). His assassination comes on the anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Tunisia and just six months after the targeted killing of opposition leader, Chokri Belaïd. Learn more »
It is critically important to bring Tunisia's new constitution in line with international human rights standards and Tunisia's obligations under international law, four human rights organizations said today. Learn more »
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson Rita Makarau on July 9 informed The Carter Center that our application to observe forthcoming national elections in Zimbabwe has been declined. While the Center regrets this news, it respects the commission's decision. Without accreditation, The Carter Center will not be able to conduct an international election observation mission. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released a preliminary report (PDF) on Venezuela's April 14, 2013, special presidential elections recommending electoral reforms to ensure greater campaign equity, increased efforts to improve the electoral climate for voters, and more information about the effectiveness of the biometric identification system and procedures to prevent usurpation of voter identity and multiple voting. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges restraint and calm before, during, and after the demonstrations planned on and around June 30, 2013. Learn more »
The Carter Center, working to support a successful transition to democracy in Tunisia, has evaluated the country's working constitutional draft and assessed the extent to which it is consistent with obligations under public international law. Learn more »
As Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly prepares to debate the draft Political Immunization of the Revolution Law, The Carter Center urges assembly members to reconsider several provisions, especially proposed restrictions on fundamental political rights. Learn more »
The Carter Center is gravely concerned about the shrinking space for civil society in Egypt. The conviction this week of 43 Egyptian and foreign NGO workers who had been engaged in peaceful, democracy promotion activities is the most recent example. Also troubling, is the restrictive and onerous draft legislation to regulate civil society that is under discussion at the Shura Council currently. Learn more »
At the invitation of Venezuela's National Election Council, The Carter Center will send a small delegation to accompany the Venezuelan people during the April 14 presidential election. Learn more »
The Carter Center finds that in spite of serious shortcomings in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) management of technology and tabulation of final election results, the paper-based procedure for counting and tallying presented enough guarantees to preserve the expression of the will of Kenyan voters. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will visit Nepal and Myanmar from March 29-April 6. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center notes that identity-based political activity in Nepal has decreased since May 2012, providing space for much-needed civic dialogue on federalism and social inclusion. Learn more »
The Carter Center finds that Kenya's polls were well-conducted in a peaceful environment. Voter turnout appears to have been high. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has made important commitments to improve the transparency of the counting and tabulation of votes. Although partial provisional results are available, the full tabulation of results is ongoing. Learn more »
The Observer Missions of the African Union, the Carter Center, the Commonwealth, the European Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, East African Community, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa to the 2013 Kenya Elections headed by His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, His Excellency Rupiah Banda, His Excellency Festus Mogae, Mr. Alojz Peterle, Amb. Simbi Veke Mubako, Amb. Dr. Berhane Ghebray, Hon. Abdulrahman Kinana and Mr. Vincent Tohbi, respectively, have observed the voting and counting process across the country. Learn more »
Observer groups from the African Union, The Carter Center, the East African Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the Commonwealth, and the European Union call on Kenya's political parties and candidates to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct and to respect their commitment to nonviolent participation in the electoral process. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center commends the Election Commission of Nepal's latest mobile voter registration outreach drive, but lower registration rates of women and young citizens, data quality, and an uncertain national political context remain areas of concern that must be rectified to improve the voter roll before the next election is held. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former Zambia President Rupiah Banda and Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs Dr. John Stremlau will co-lead the Center's 60-person delegation representing 29 nations to observe Kenya's March 4 elections. Learn more »
Carter Center observers in Kenya have found the electoral campaign generally peaceful thus far, and the Center urges all Kenyans to commit themselves to nonviolent participation in the electoral process. Learn more »
While Jordan's 2013 parliamentary elections yielded important technical advances, the elections were marred by a system that limits equality of suffrage and by persistent concerns about vote buying, proxy registration, and other problems, according to a report issued today by The Carter Center, which sent a study mission to assess the elections held on Jan. 23, 2013. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the welcome of political parties, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Kenya's March 4, 2013, elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its recommendations for Egypt's upcoming parliamentary elections based on its observation missions for the 2011-2012 parliamentary and presidential elections. The Center suggests critical reforms in the following areas: voter education and information, women in the electoral process, electoral observation, internal and external communications, procedures and training, voter access and participation, electoral contestants (parties and candidates), and electoral legal framework. Learn more »
The Carter Center today released its recommendations for Egypt's upcoming parliamentary elections based on its observation missions for the 2011-2012 parliamentary and presidential elections. The Center suggests critical reforms in the following areas: voter education and information, women in the electoral process, electoral observation, internal and external communications, procedures and training, voter access and participation, electoral contestants (parties and candidates), and electoral legal framework. Learn more »
The Carter Center and the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network are pleased to announce the release of two new resources on voter identification processes and practices. The reports provide groundbreaking analysis of a range of critical electoral issues on voter identification, the right to vote, and related international standards and election administration practices. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today it will not deploy a delegation of witnesses to observe the constitutional referendum process, scheduled to start Dec. 15, 2012. The late release of regulations for accreditation of witnesses precludes the Center from conducting a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the referendum process, consistent with its methodology for professional observation of elections. A Carter Center technical expert team may release further statements on the process at a later date. Learn more »
On Nov. 23, Dr. Christiana Thorpe, chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), certified the final results of the presidential election, which indicated that President Ernest Bai Koroma of the All People's Congress (APC) was re-elected with 58.7 percent of the valid votes, ahead of his main challenger, Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), who garnered 37.4 percent of valid ballots cast. Over 87 percent of registered voters turned out to vote. Learn more »
The Nov. 17, 2012, elections are the first self-administered elections to be conducted in Sierra Leone since the end of the civil war, representing an important test for the country's democratic consolidation. Carter Center observers reported that voting and counting processes were peaceful, orderly, transparent, and in general accordance with Sierra Leone's legal framework and obligations for democratic elections. Learn more »
A report on the 2012 Venezuelan presidential election issued today by The Carter Center notes increased citizen confidence in the voter system compared to past contests. Learn more »
Sierra Leone's upcoming presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections represent a critical test for the country's emerging democratic institutions 10 years after the end of the civil war. Carter Center observers report that the campaign period has been generally peaceful, allowing political parties to assemble freely and to convey their message to potential voters. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the General Legislation Committee (GLC) of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) for its consultative approach regarding the draft law to establish an Election Management Body (EMB). By involving external stakeholders, the GLC has taken important steps to promote public participation. Learn more »
The Oct. 20, 2012, municipal polls, the first to be held in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) since 2006, took place under significant pressures, including the conduct of elections while under Israeli occupation, the political impasse between the two leading Palestinian political movements, and the continued erosion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms by political actors in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed a study mission to the West Bank this week to assess the overall political and electoral conditions surrounding the Oct. 20, 2012, municipal elections. The Center was invited and is accredited by the Central Election Commission (CEC) as guest observers. Learn more »
We the undersigned members of the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, committed to the promotion and defense of democratic values, have been following carefully the current electoral process in Venezuela. Learn more »
The Carter Center's independent study mission to Venezuela today released a pre-electoral report (PDF), which assesses the preparations for key elements of the process including voter registration, campaign conditions, voting conditions, integrity of the vote count, and the dispute resolution process. Learn more »
The Carter Center today deployed eight long-term observers to launch an international election observation mission for Sierra Leone's general elections on Nov. 17, 2012, at the invitation of Sierra Leone's National Elections Commission (NEC). Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center commends Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly (NCA) on its progress in introducing a constitutional draft. Moving forward, the Center urges the NCA drafting commissions to ensure that the future constitution upholds Tunisia's international treaty obligations on human rights and fundamental freedoms. Learn more »
The Carter Center has declined an invitation from the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) to accompany the Oct. 7 presidential elections. The concept of accompaniment differs from observation in that the purpose of accompaniment is to invite foreign individuals to witness the day of the election with a largely symbolic political presence, Learn more »
The Carter Center supports efforts undertaken by the Tunisian government to create a permanent election management body (EMB), and urges the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) to enhance key aspects of the draft law recently submitted for its consideration to guarantee the legitimacy, independence, and transparent functioning of the future EMB. Learn more »
In a report released today, Carter Center observers found that the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) continues to make progress toward finalizing a new voter register but faces challenges related to registration turnout, access to eligibility documents such as citizenship certificates, and data quality. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the announcement of preliminary election results by Libya's High National Elections Commission (HNEC) on July 17, 2012, and congratulates HNEC staff for their diligence in completing the tabulation process in a timely manner and for their efforts to ensure that all voters had an opportunity to participate in the elections. Learn more »
While acknowledging initiatives undertaken by the government and several civil society organizations, The Carter Center calls on Tunisian authorities to launch a broad and transparent consultation process, including all relevant stakeholders, to build consensus on the key features of an independent body entrusted with future elections in Tunisia. Learn more »
The July 7 elections provided Libyans an historic opportunity to vote in meaningful national polls for the first time in almost six decades. The Carter Center was honored to be invited to observe the elections, and congratulates the Libyan people, the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), and the National Transitional Council (NTC) for their dedication and efforts to support Libya's democratic transition. Learn more »
Following an invitation from the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), The Carter Center launched a limited international election observation mission to Libya on Monday, deploying several teams of observers to monitor and report on the upcoming National General Congress elections. Learn more »
Contrary to certain reports in the media, The Carter Center would like to reiterate one of its findings with respect to the second round of the Egyptian presidential election. Carter Center witnesses did not observe evidence of major or systematic flaws in the voting and counting processes (June 16-18) that unfairly advantaged either candidate. Learn more »
The Carter Center's election witnessing mission in Egypt issued preliminary findings today for the second round of Egypt's presidential elections. The Center noted that the Egyptian people again have demonstrated their deep commitment to the electoral process. However, The Carter Center expressed grave concern about the broader political and constitutional context, which calls into question the meaning and purpose of the elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy a limited mission to witness parts of the June 16- 17, 2012, runoff election for Egypt's president. The Center will deploy 90 witnesses from 36 countries to follow polling, counting, and those parts of the tabulation processes to which the Center has access. Learn more »
The Carter Center election witnessing mission was accredited in Egypt by the Presidential Election Commission (PEC) on May 3, 2012. Accreditation badges, necessary for witnesses to observe the process, were only provided on May 16, less than seven days before the election. Learn more »
In response to false reports in the media, The Carter Center election witnessing mission confirms that it has not issued any statements relating to the presidential election results. The Carter Center's preliminary statement on the first round of the presidential election, which was formally issued by President Jimmy Carter on May 26, 2012, can be viewed here. Learn more »
Press Releases News &smp; Publications May 24, 2012 Contacts: In Atlanta, Deborah Hakes +1 404-420-5124; In Kathmandu, Sarah Levit-Shore +977-1-444-5055/1446 Statement by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Nepal (नेपालीमा पढ्नुहोस) I am concerned by the tensions, prolonged strikes, and incidents of political violence that have taken place throughout Nepal in recent weeks. Positively, it appears that these tensions have reduced in the last few days following the signing of several agreements between the Government of Nepal and protesting groups, as well as some commendable initiatives at the local level. Learn more »
The Carter Center has received accreditation as an organization from Egypt's Supreme Presidential Election Commission and will deploy 22 international election witnesses from 14 countries for the presidential election scheduled May 23-24, 2012. They will be joined by a larger delegation of 80 witnesses from over 35 nations that will travel to Egypt several days before the election, led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Learn more »
The Carter Center office in Tunisia has found that issues of transparency and participation in the country's recently established National Constituent Assembly (NCA) are coming to the forefront and recommends the establishment of a detailed work plan and timeline to help structure NCA work and increase visibility on the process and accountability to stated objectives. Learn more »
The Carter Center today announced its support for the Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation at the official launch of the document at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Learn more »
The Carter Center strongly condemns the seizure of power in Mali by elements of the military. The Carter Center calls for the immediate and peaceful return to constitutional order and the establishment of a short transition toward the scheduled elections. Learn more »
Following a series of public hearings, South Sudan's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is in the final review stages of a national elections bill to establish the framework for political competition in future elections in South Sudan. Learn more »
My colleagues at The Carter Center and I commend Nepal's government and political parties for closing 13 of 28 cantonments and completing the discharge process for those Maoist combatants who have chosen voluntary retirement. These are important steps toward completing the peace process. Learn more »
As Egypt's new parliament works to select a 100-member Constitutional Drafting Committee, the Carter Center's mission to witness the country's Shura elections urges Egypt's elected representatives to address the overwhelming lack of representation of women in the parliament by ensuring at least 30 percent of the committee is female. Learn more »
We, the undersigned, Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, express our deep concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression in the Republic of Ecuador. Learn more »
The Carter Center finds that as with the Nov. 28, 2011, presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the integrity of the national assembly results has been compromised. It is difficult, and given the circumstances and amount of time that has passed, perhaps impossible, for the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) or any other body to reconstruct fully the results in the hopes of producing a faithful record of the will of the people. Learn more »
The Carter Center deplores the suppression of today's march by Christian groups in Kinshasa to protest discontent over the recent elections, and calls on the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) not to interfere with the rights of Congolese citizens to peaceful assembly and expression. Learn more »
As Venezuela enters an important election year, The Carter Center will send a small study group of international experts to the country for the opposition's primary elections on Feb. 12, 2012. The candidates chosen in the primaries will represent the political opposition in the Oct. 7 presidential elections and the December 2012 governor and mayoral elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends South Sudan's National Legislative Assembly for its decision to convene a public hearing on the draft Political Parties Bill and solicit input from political parties, civil society, and citizens. This is an important opportunity for South Sudanese to provide input and demonstrate citizens' interest in the political process. Learn more »
Carter Center witnesses in Egypt observed low levels of interest and participation among voters, political parties, and nongovernmental organizations during the first stage of the country's Shura Council elections. Despite the brief respite between the People's Assembly and Shura Council elections, Egypt's election authority was able to introduce several technical amendments for the Shura election including the use of more secure ballot boxes and the counting of votes at polling stations. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center commended the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) for registering more than 10 million Nepali citizens to date, and encouraged the ECN to undertake additional efforts to reach out to those who have yet to participate in the process. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today it will not deploy a delegation of witnesses to observe the constitutional referendum process, scheduled to start Dec. 15, 2012. The late release of regulations for accreditation of witnesses precludes the Center from conducting a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the referendum process, consistent with its methodology for professional observation of elections. Learn more »
The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, a group of former leaders and eminent persons in the Western Hemisphere, today called for "serious review and reform" of Nicaragua's electoral system. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will visit Egypt next week as part of the Center's witnessing of Egypt's parliamentary elections. He will join a delegation of 40 witnesses representing 21 countries deployed in Egypt since mid-November to witness all three phases of voting. Learn more »
Carter Center witnesses observing the People's Assembly elections in Egypt reported progress in several aspects of polling during the second round of voting on Dec. 14-15, but found that there are numerous areas where procedures need further improvement. Learn more »
Côte d'Ivoire's 2011 legislative elections represent an essential step in re-establishing the constitutional order in Cote d'Ivoire and achieving a key goal of the peace process laid out by the Political Accord of Ouagadougou. The Carter Center highlights the generally peaceful voting environment and the absence of major security incidents during the polls, which took place in the fragile political and social context of the post-electoral crisis of 2010-2011. Learn more »
The Carter Center finds the provisional presidential election results announced by the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) on Dec. 9 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to lack credibility. CENI results point to the re-election of incumbent President Joseph Kabila with 49 percent of the vote followed by Etienne Tshisekedi with 32 percent and Vital Kamerhe with 7.7 percent. Voter turnout was 58 percent. Learn more »
The Carter Center has closely observed the first round of Egypt's parliamentary elections, witnessing polling and counting Nov. 28-30 and the runoffs Dec. 5-6, and notes that conducting runoffs amid a multiphase election poses distinct challenges requiring extra efforts in key areas. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed witnesses to observe two days of polling on Nov. 28-29 in the first of three rounds of Egypt's parliamentary elections, as well as the preceding election preparation period. Carter Center witnesses visited more than 300 polling stations in all nine active governorates, and followed the process through to the counting exercise. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the conduct of presidential and legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Nov. 28; voters participated in large numbers with few major incidents that disrupted the peaceful conduct of the polls. The results tabulation process is underway. Learn more »
Following an invitation from the Independent Electoral Commission, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Côte d'Ivoire to monitor preparations and the conduct of legislative elections anticipated on Dec. 11. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former Zambia President Rupiah Banda and Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs Dr. John Stremlau will co-lead the Center's 70-person delegation representing 27 nations to observe the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Nov. 28 elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center is greatly concerned about the ongoing violence at Tahrir Square and elsewhere in Egypt that has resulted in more than 30 casualties. As events continue to unfold, we urge the authorities to act with restraint and for all involved to continue to advance a meaningful democratic transition in Egypt through peaceful political participation and respect for the rule of law. Learn more »
The Carter Center reports that the tally process for the Nov. 8 presidential run-off election was conducted transparently and in general accordance with Liberia's obligations for democratic elections. Tallying was carried out smoothly throughout the country, with greater adherence to procedures and fewer irregularities than in the first round of the elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the government of the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS) for the inclusive and consultative approach it has taken thus far in its drafting of the National Elections Act of 2011 and Political Parties Bill 2011. Learn more »
Following approval from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accreditation by the Supreme Judicial Commission for Elections, The Carter Center announced today the deployment of an international delegation to 'witness' Egyptian Parliamentary Elections scheduled to start on Nov. 28, 2011. Learn more »
The Carter Center's election observation mission finds that Liberia's Nov. 8 presidential run-off election was conducted in general accordance with Liberia's legal framework and its international obligations for democratic elections. Regrettably, the election was marred by an opposition boycott, violence on the eve of the election, and low voter turnout. Learn more »
After a successful day of polling in Tunisia on Oct. 23, The Carter Center notes that several key areas related to the tabulation of results and appeals procedures did not receive sufficient attention of the High Independent Authority for the Elections (ISIE). Learn more »
We acknowledge the strong electoral support given to President Ortega in Sunday's election. Nevertheless, we are troubled by the reports of significant deficiencies in the 2011 electoral process in Nicaragua and their implications for democratic governance. Learn more »
The Carter Center notes that it is an international obligation of states to ensure that the will of the people, as expressed in periodic elections, serves as the basis for democratic government. All Liberians have a fundamental right to participate in public affairs, including the right to choose whether or not to cast a vote, in an atmosphere free from fear and intimidation. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the recent agreement by Nepal's political parties to address key outstanding issues in the peace process, including the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, drafting of the constitution, and other important points. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy a delegation of international observers to monitor Liberia's presidential run-off election scheduled for Nov. 8, 2011. The delegation again will be led by His Excellency General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, former head of state of Nigeria, and will include more than 50 observers from 20 countries across Africa and around the world. Learn more »
The Oct. 11, 2011, presidential and legislative elections mark an important test for Liberia's transition from civil war to democratic, constitutional government. Learn more »
In a statement released today, Carter Center observers monitoring the landmark Oct. 23 Constituent Assembly elections in Tunisia reported that the voting process was marked by peaceful and enthusiastic participation, generally transparent procedures, and popular confidence about Tunisia's democratic transition. Learn more »
We, the undersigned, regret the announcement of the Venezuelan Supreme Court that it will not be feasible to comply with the decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Leopoldo Lopez vs. Venezuela issued on Sept. 1, 2011. Learn more »
Carter Center observers monitoring the tally and the tabulation of final results in Liberia report a largely transparent process with no evidence of systematic fraud or manipulation of results. Learn more »
In a pre-election report released today, The Carter Center called for urgent steps by the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) election commission in order to be credibly prepared for Nov. 28 elections. The report is based on findings from the Center's long-term observers, who have been deployed throughout the DRC since August. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former President of Mauritius and Club of Madrid member Cassam Uteem and Carter Center President and CEO Dr. John Hardman will co-lead the Center's international election observation delegation to Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly elections on Oct. 23. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will also participate in the delegation. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the election commission, candidates, and voters of the Cherokee Nation on a successful election day. Sept. 24 was the only day for voters to cast ballots at 38 precincts in the Nation, but there will be additional opportunities for citizens to cast a ballot at the election commission and for Freedmen** to vote by absentee ballot to determine who will be the next principal chief. Learn more »
A small delegation from The Carter Center will visit Nicaragua during the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in Nicaragua on Nov. 6. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that His Excellency General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria's former head of state, will lead the Center's international election observation delegation to Liberia. Learn more »
Liberia's upcoming 2011 presidential and legislative elections represent a critical test for the country's transition from war to democratic and constitutional government. Carter Center observers report that campaigning has been vibrant and generally peaceful, and that political parties and independent candidates have been able to move freely and to convey their message to potential voters. Learn more »
With the launch of the electoral campaign period on Oct. 1, Tunisia has entered the final leg of the National Constituent Assembly elections, scheduled for Oct. 23, 2011. While electoral preparations are progressing, key issues such as the allocation of voters to polling stations and the system for the tabulation of results require final decisions and publication by election authorities. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Cherokee Nation Election Commission (CNEC) on the completion of the extended special election for Principal Chief. Voting took place over 10 days and counting over three (Oct. 9-11, 2011). Learn more »
An opinion poll currently circulating in Liberia by email is being falsely attributed to The Carter Center. We reject such efforts to mislead the public and call on all stakeholders to be vigilant in assessing information about the electoral process. Learn more »
The Carter Center today deployed teams of long-term observers to launch an international election observation mission for Liberia's presidential and legislative elections on Oct. 11, 2011. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Cherokee Nation Election Commission, The Carter Center will deploy a small observation mission for the Sept. 24, 2011, special election for principal chief. Carter Center observers will interview the election commission, political contestants, and others to assess the electoral process. Learn more »
In light of the Nicaraguan Supreme Electoral Council's (CSE) publication of the Electoral Accompaniment Regulations on Aug. 16, 2011, The Carter Center wishes to explain its conditions for observing the Nicaraguan elections in 2011. Learn more »
A Carter Center statement released today noted that Tunisia's voter registration process was conducted smoothly, but important operational challenges remain for the High Independent Authority for the Elections (ISIE), particularly the allocation of voters to polling stations and a campaign to disseminate voter information to the public. Learn more »
At the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) and the welcome of political parties, The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) elections on Nov. 28, 2011. Learn more »
Kathmandu… In a report released today, Carter Center observers found broad consensus that political space has opened across Nepal since the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. Improvements in the behavior of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) cadres at the local level and a decline in armed group activity in parts of the Tarai were frequently cited as the main reasons for this change. Learn more »
In response to an invitation from the Tunisian electoral commission, The Carter Center formally launched an international observation mission to monitor preparations for the country's Constituent Assembly elections anticipated on Oct. 23. The mission is supported by an office in Tunis, which is led by Field Office Director Sabina Vigani. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center commended the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) for registering nearly eight million Nepali citizens to date and encouraged the ECN to undertake additional efforts to reach out to millions more who have yet to participate in the process. Learn more »
As Southern Sudan prepares for independence in the face of recent armed conflict with the North, it is critically important that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) take steps to demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive and participatory governance. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the recent agreement by Nepal's political parties as well as their decision to extend the Constituent Assembly tenure by three months. Learn more »
Despite a climate of heightened insecurity and instances of procedural irregularities that removed an important safeguard of the process, South Kordofan's elections were generally peaceful and credible. The voting, counting, and results aggregation processes were conducted in a nonpartisan and transparent manner under intense scrutiny from leading political parties. Learn more »
In a report released today, Carter Center observers found that although the overall functioning of Local Peace Committees (LPCs) has improved since November 2009, their effectiveness remains unclear and they continue to face serious challenges. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges calm during the aggregation of results for the South Kordofan gubernatorial and legislative elections. The Carter Center calls on all contesting parties and candidates to continue to observe the results aggregation peacefully, to ask their supporters to remain calm and to seek recourse to potential electoral disputes through established legal channels. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Government of Egypt for their success in brokering the historic intra-Palestinian reconciliation agreement announced on April 27. The Carter Center further commends the representatives of Fatah and Hamas for having the vision to begin the process of reunifying the Palestinian people. Mediated by the Government of Egypt, the agreement provides a framework for resolving long-standing issues regarding reform of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Palestinian governance, elections, human rights abuses, and the security sector. Now, the challenge will be implementing the agreement on the ground. Learn more »
The Carter Center is concerned by recent deteriorations in South Kordofan's security environment and calls on all sides to promote a genuine and credible polling process for the state. Although the recently concluded candidate nomination period was largely conducted transparently, efficiently, and peacefully, there have been worrying developments during the campaign period. Learn more »
In a report released today, Carter Center observers found that overall the Election Commission of Nepal's (ECN) voter registration process is moving forward, despite delays. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center welcomed the completion of the voter registration process in South Kordofan. The process was conducted in a generally peaceful environment and the majority of registration centers operated without major problems. Learn more »
In a statement issued today, The Carter Center reports that the first phase of the popular consultation in Blue Nile produced notable accomplishments, but that state legislative assembly members, political parties, and consultation authorities should work collaboratively to ensure a more transparent and genuine dialogue on the key issues in remaining phases of the process in Blue Nile. Learn more »
Distrust between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and opposition parties is a critical challenge that undermines the unity of Southern Sudan on the eve of its independence. To ensure a successful transition, The Carter Center urges all Southern Sudanese political leaders to agree on genuinely inclusive processes for reviewing and adopting the transitional constitution and planning for the transition. Learn more »
In a report released today, Carter Center observers found that overall clashes between Nepal's political party youth wings appear to have decreased. However, many activities of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) and, to a lesser extent, the CPN-UML Youth Force [1] remain targeted toward financial gain, and youth wing activity continues to have a negative impact on security in many districts. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement partners, and the Sudanese people on the announcement of the final results of the referendum on the self-determination of Southern Sudan. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Egypt on their courageous steps toward a new era of democratic legitimacy and respect for human rights. Learn more »
The Carter Center observation mission congratulates the people of Sudan for the successful conduct of the historic referendum on self-determination, which was marked by an overwhelming turnout of enthusiastic voters during a peaceful and orderly seven-day voting period. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, former Tanzania Prime Minister Joseph Warioba, and Dr. John Hardman, Carter Center president and CEO, will lead the Carter Center's international observation delegation for the January 2011 referendum on the self-determination of Southern Sudan. Learn more »
In a statement issued today, The Carter Center reported that although the voter registration for the Southern Sudan Referendum on self-determination faced several logistical, procedural, and security challenges, the process was generally credible and represents a strong step toward the successful conduct of the referendum. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Alassane Ouattara on his election as president of Cote d'Ivoire. The Center equally appreciates the efforts of Prime Minister Guillaume Soro to ensure the credibility of the entire electoral process. Learn more »
We at The Carter Center congratulate the people of Cote d'Ivoire for a successful presidential election, which now offers hope for a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center concluded that the conduct of Guinea's presidential electoral processes was broadly consistent with the country's international and regional obligations for genuine democratic elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center found high voter turnout for the presidential run-off election in Cote d'Ivoire despite an often tense and sometimes violent political campaign. The Center notes with special concern that several deaths occurred in election day violence and calls on the two presidential candidates, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, to remind their supporters of the need to wait for the announcement of results without further incident. Learn more »
The Carter Center urges Cote d'Ivoire's presidential candidates to refrain from the use of negative campaign rhetoric, including personal attacks made in a threatening tone, and reminds candidates and their supporters of the code of conduct and other rules governing electoral behavior. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes the successful opening of voter registration for the Southern Sudan Referendum on self-determination and congratulates the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB) on their preparations for the first days of registration, particularly in Southern Sudan where the process is challenged by difficult logistics. Learn more »
Mistrust among Nepal's political leaders, failure to implement previous commitments, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to form a new government pose threats to the peace process and constitutional drafting. Learn more »
The Carter Center appeals to Guinea's political party leaders to allow the Supreme Court to resolve any disputes over election results and to reiterate their appeals for calm. At the same time, the Center welcomes pledges made by both candidates to constitute a government of national unity as a gesture of reconciliation regardless of who is declared winner by the Supreme Court. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed more than 50 observers across Sudan and overseas on Nov. 12 to observe the voter registration process for the Southern Sudan referendum on self-determination. The current deployment significantly increases the size of the Center's international observation mission and expands its presence to out-of-country registration locations in eight countries during the registration process, which was formally launched today by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC). The 56 observers join the Center's team of 16 long-term observers and additional core staff in Sudan. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates Guineans for the peaceful and orderly conduct of voting and the high-level of participation for the Nov. 7, 2010, presidential run-off election. The successful voting process is an overwhelming testament of Guineans' profound desire to express their will at the ballot box and to complete their historic democratic transition. The Carter Center salutes the enthusiasm and commitment of the Guinean people and electorate; all Guineans should be proud of what they have achieved so far. Learn more »
The Oct. 31 presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire was conducted in a calm environment with a high-level of voter participation. These elections marked a crucial step in Cote d'Ivoire's peace process and gave voters the opportunity to elect their next president in the country's first truly open contest. The Ivoirian people have exercised their right to vote; they also have the right to have their vote accurately recorded and ultimately respected by all candidates. Learn more »
Former Nigeria Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and Carter Center Vice President for Peace Programs John Stremlau will lead the Carter Center's international observation of Guinea's Nov. 7 runoff election. The Center's mission will deploy throughout the country 30 observers representing more than 13 nations. Learn more »
In its latest statement on Sudan's referenda processes, The Carter Center noted important progress by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) and Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau (SSRB) in establishing and swearing in nearly all of the county subcommittees of Southern Sudan and publishing a referendum calendar. Learn more »
Former Ghana President John Kufuor will co-lead the Carter Center's international election observation delegation to Cote d'Ivoire along with Dr. John Stremlau, Carter Center vice president for peace programs. The Center's mission will also include 40 observers representing 23 different countries. These presidential elections mark an important step in the country's peace process, as it seeks to put its civil war firmly in the past. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on all actors involved in Guinea's electoral process to contribute to a peaceful and orderly environment in the period before the presidential run-off election, while ensuring respect for the rights and safety of all individuals, no matter their conviction. Learn more »
The Carter Center welcomes Guinea's progress toward holding its historic runoff presidential election, and we urge both candidates, their supporters, and each CENI commissioner to ensure that the constitutional processes are respected to ensure that the will of the Guinean people can be freely expressed. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed 10 long-term observers to regions around Côte d'Ivoire this week to assess preparations for the Oct.31, 2010, presidential election. The observers will meet with government and election authorities, political parties, civil society organizations, and domestic observer groups, as well as the United Nations and the international community. Learn more »
The Carter Center is deeply concerned about recent events in Ecuador and expresses its support for the constitutional government of this country and its democratically-elected President Rafael Correa Delgado. Learn more »
The Carter Center election observation mission in Guinea is heartened by the Independent National Electoral Commission's (CENI) announcement recommending that the country's delayed run-off presidential election should be held on Oct. 10. Learn more »
The Carter Center this week launched the Database of Obligations for Democratic Elections, the first of its kind to consolidate more than 150 sources of international law related to human rights and elections that can be used by international and domestic election observers to assess elections. The database represents a critical step in building consensus toward a single common set of internationally accepted criteria for assessing democratic elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates all Guinean presidential candidates and commends that the settlement of election disputes brought to the attention of the Supreme Court has been accepted by all parties. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates all Guinean presidential candidates and commends that the settlement of election disputes brought to the attention of the Supreme Court has been accepted by all parties. Learn more »
Le Centre Carter félicite tous les candidats présidentiels guinéens et applaudit le fait que les parties concernées aient soumis leurs contentieux électoraux auprès de la Cour Suprême et aient accepté la décision de cette dernière. Learn more »
The June 27, 2010, elections represented an important political opening for the people of Guinea. These were the first elections to be held in Guinea without an incumbent candidate, which increased political space and the opportunity for participation by all sectors of society. Learn more »
Les élections du 27 Juin 2010, représentent une ouverture politique importante pour le peuple Guinéen. En Guinée, ces élections étaient les premières où le President sortant ne figurait pas sur le bulletin de vote; un fait qui a permit l'élargissement du champ politique et a donné l'opportunité à tous les secteurs de la société de participer. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria's former head of state, will co-lead the Center's international election observation delegation to Guinea along with Dr. John Stremlau, Carter Center vice president for peace programs. The Carter Center mission will also include more than 30 observers representing over 15 different nations deployed throughout the country. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center has found that the Maoists and successive governments have each only partially fulfilled land commitments as outlined in the November 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and subsequent agreements. Learn more »
The Carter Center observation mission in Guinea is encouraged by the positive tone of the electoral campaign in Guinea, including candidates' messages promoting reconciliation and transcending ethnic boundaries, and by the National Electoral Commission's (CENI) commitment to inclusive elections. Learn more »
La mission d'observation du Centre Carter en Guinée est encouragée par le ton positif de la campagne électorale en Guinée, aussi les messages des candidats, de promouvoir la réconciliation, transcender les limites ethniques, et par l'engagement de la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) de mener les élections inclusives. Cependant, le Centre conseille vivement la CENI d'adresser les défis restants en s'assurant que toutes la logistique électorale arrive à temps pour les élections, que le personnel des bureaux de votes soit suffisamment formé, et que le maximum de ses efforts soient étendu á l'éducation de l'électeur aussi largement que possible. Malgré ces défis, le Centre á l'espoir que tous les acteurs se sont engagés pour un processus transparent et l'acceptation des résultats d'une l'élection paisible et crédible. Ces conclusions sont détaillées dans le rapport ci-dessous. Learn more »
The Carter Center will deploy eight long-term observers throughout Guinea this week to formally launch its international election observation mission of the country's June 27 elections. The mission is supported by an office in Conakry, which was established in mid-May and led by Field Office Representative John Koogler. Learn more »
The decision last year by a part of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional article 147 prohibiting consecutive re-election in the 1995 Constitution allowed President Daniel Ortega to propose his candidacy for reelection in 2011. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on political leaders in Cote d'Ivoire to renew their commitment to genuine democratic elections and ensure necessary steps are taken to realize that goal as soon as possible. Cote d'Ivoire has made important strides to keep the peace process on track, but further delay could reverse those achievements. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Algerian Foreign Minister and member of the Elders Lakhdar Brahimi, Judge Joseph Warioba, and Carter Center President and CEO Dr. John Hardman will lead the Center's international election observation delegation to observe Sudan's April 2010 elections. Learn more »
In its latest statement on Sudan's electoral process, The Carter Center notes that while much has been achieved in organizing the 2010 elections, the country's first competitive elections since 1986, the process remains at risk on multiple fronts including the ability of candidates to campaign freely and the impact of delayed logistical preparations by the National Elections Commission (NEC). Learn more »
The Carter Center expresses serious concern about the growing incidence of threats and attacks on media personnel in Nepal. The Center strongly believes that a free and vibrant press is indispensable for the sustainability of a functioning democracy. Learn more »
According to a Carter Center report released today, Nepalis expect their new constitution to provide peace, security, and address basic needs. They support measures to promote equality, inclusivity, and education for all; end discrimination; uplift disadvantaged communities; and improve access to the state and justice system. Learn more »
I have followed closely Nepal's progress over the last several years, and I commend you for your continued dedication to sustainable peace and inclusive democracy. Learn more »
The Carter Center hopes to observe presidential and legislative elections in Palestine, but will only consider the opportunity if the democratic principles and fundamental freedoms required for genuine and inclusive elections across the West Bank and Gaza are met. Learn more »
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, responding to recent allegations of attempted fraud in Cote d'Ivoire's election preparations, called for an objective and transparent resolution of the issue, noting that the claims "should not be used to discredit the other important achievements, to delay unduly the election, or to challenge previous political agreements that serve as the basis to conduct the elections." Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center welcomed the conclusion of national voter registration in Sudan, which ended Dec. 7, and congratulated the people of Sudan for the broad and generally peaceful participation in the registration process. Learn more »
The Carter Center limited observation mission in Bolivia found election day to be generally peaceful and that the new biometric voter list served the purposes for which it has been implemented. The Center recommends that Bolivian society and the National Electoral Court (CNE) continue to strengthen their efforts to consolidate credibility in their institutions. Learn more »
The following letter was distributed today from The Carter Center and The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter to the Permanent Representatives of the OAS prior to their planned discussion on Honduras. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that it will deploy a small observation delegation to Bolivia's Dec. 6 elections, led by Jennifer McCoy, director of the Center's Americas Program. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center commended the publication of the biometric voter registry by the National Electoral Court (CNE) for contributing significantly to the transparency of the Dec. 6 elections. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center in Nepal describes the current security environment around the country and notes that while the situation across parts of the Tarai remains poor, it has moderately improved since early-2009. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center commended the largely peaceful implementation of national voter registration in Sudan, which began on Nov. 1, and welcomed the National Election Commission's (NEC) decision to extend voter registration by one week to promote greater inclusion in the process. Learn more »
The Carter Center has decided not to observe the Honduras elections scheduled for Nov. 29 because a national unity government has not been established and the vote by the Congress is not scheduled until after the elections. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center noted continued progress in Sudan's electoral process, including voter registration, which began Nov. 1, but expressed concerns about the obstacles facing election observers, including delays in finalizing their accreditation procedures and delays in election preparations, as well as continued reports of harassment of political party and civil society activity. Learn more »
Upon completing two days of interviews with a range of political actors and representatives of Honduran society, the delegation from The Carter Center and the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter group share their findings and initial insights in the statement below, and they reiterate their commitment to the promotion of democracy and to effective international support and vigilance. Learn more »
The Carter Center deplores the violent attacks by security forces that killed more than 150 peaceful demonstrators in Conakry, Guinea, on Sept. 28. Learn more »
At the invitation of the National Electoral Court, The Carter Center is continuing to observe the process of the biometric census registration in all of the departments of Bolivia, including rural districts, isolated areas, special districts, and some cities outside of the country. Learn more »
In celebration of the second annual International Day of Democracy, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and The Carter Center call upon citizens around the globe to recommit themselves to the principles of democracy. Learn more »
The Carter Center launched a voter registration observation mission to Bolivia this week by deploying six long-term observers to cover all of the country's nine departamentos (districts). The Center's observers will monitor the biometric voter registration process, focusing on the administration of voter registration, citizen participation, voter registration complaints, and related issues. Learn more »
Nepal has made significant progress on the path to peace and inclusive democracy over the past three years but the future of the process now appears in question. Reminiscent of the 1990s, political leaders in Kathmandu appear focused on zero-sum power politics at the expense of the constitution drafting, peace process, and provision of basic government services. Learn more »
In a statement released today, The Carter Center noted recent positive steps in Sudan's electoral process, including the release of a revised electoral calendar that should allow voter registration to take place in November, avoiding the rainy season, as well as the formation of 25 state Election High Committees and the Southern Sudan Elections High Committee (SSEHC). Learn more »
The Carter Center is pleased to have finalized memoranda of understanding with the Government of National Unity (GONU) of Sudan and the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) on its program of election observation in Sudan. The Center welcomes the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by Sudanese authorities in these efforts. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the significant progress that Nepal has made on the path to peace and stability during the last three years, but notes with concern that the breakdown in consensus politics following the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, as well as the delay in implementing previous commitments, threatens to derail the progress made thus far. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends Indonesia's Constitutional Court for their timely handling disputes relating to election results for the April 9, 2009 legislative elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the Lebanese people and the electoral authorities for the successful conduct of the 2009 parliamentary elections, the results of which have been accepted by both sides. While the process fell short of several of Lebanon's international commitments, most notably secrecy of the ballot, it was conducted with enhanced transparency and in accordance with Lebanon's new consensual electoral law and regulations. Learn more »
The Carter Center announced today that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Eryani will lead the Center's international election observation delegation to observe Lebanon's June 7 parliamentary elections. The Carter Center mission will also include more than 50 observers representing more than 20 different nations deployed throughout the country to observe balloting, counting, and tabulation processes. Learn more »
In a report released today, The Carter Center welcomed the May 26 decision by Lebanon's Council of Ministers to appoint the final five members of the Constitutional Council, the body mandated to adjudicate candidates' challenges to electoral results. At the same time, the Center urged Lebanese electoral authorities to provide further clarification of procedures for the filing and resolution of election day complaints by voters and party agents and for the district-level tabulation of official election results. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the government of Indonesia, the National Election Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), and civil society groups for the ongoing commitment they have shown to establishing electoral complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms within the electoral system of Indonesia. Learn more »
The Carter Center calls on Ivorian political leaders to sustain the hard-earned momentum of the ongoing identification and voter registration process and bring about the credible democratic elections envisioned by the Ouagadougou Political Accord (OPA). Learn more »
In a report issued today, The Carter Center welcomes the important steps taken in Sudan toward holding national elections but identifies additional key steps that the Government of National Unity (GONU) and the National Elections Commission (NEC) should take to ensure a genuine and viable electoral process. Learn more »
The Carter Center commends the parties, candidates, and National Elections Commission of Indonesia for the important progress made in campaign finance laws and practices since the 2004 elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center launched an international election observation mission to Lebanon last week by deploying six long-term observers to cover all of the country's qadas (districts). The observers represent a diverse team from six countries: Portugal, Belgium, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Albania, and the United States. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people of Nepal, the election commission, and the political parties for a generally peaceful and orderly by-election process. Following an invitation from the Election Commission of Nepal, The Carter Center deployed four teams of short-term observers to Morang, Dhanusha, Kaski, and Kanchanpur from April 9-11 to conduct a small scale assessment of Nepal's April 10, 2009, Constituent Assembly by-elections. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the people, political parties, and National Election Commission (KPU) of Indonesia on the generally peaceful April 9, 2009, legislative elections, the third since the country's democratic transition from the New Order of former President Soeharto. Learn more »
The Carter Center deployed three teams of long-term observers to locations in Indonesia this week to formally launch its limited election observation mission of the country's April 9 legislative elections. These will be the third elections in Indonesia that the Center has observed. Learn more »
The Carter Center congratulates the Bolivian people for the peaceful exercise of its civic obligations during the constitutional referendum held on Jan. 25. The Center's political mission visited more than 100 polling stations and did not witness any act of violence or intimidation that would affect the voting of the citizens. Learn more »
