The Foreign Service Journal, May 2018

36 MAY 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL observation; preventing electoral conflict; and politi- cal party development. Today USAID and its partner orga- nizations are recognized as global leaders in these areas. Since the early 2000s, USAID has supported the emergence of a global community of practice on international and domestic election observation that includes a consensus on standards and codes of ethics. USAID supports the activi- ties of many of the most prominent U.S.-based organizations involved in election assistance, including the National Demo- cratic Institute, International Republican Institute, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Democracy International and The Carter Center. USAID and its partners have also provided long-term support to local election groups, many of whom have become powerful players in their own countries and regions, such as NAMFREL (National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elec- tions) in the Philippines, ISFED (The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy) in Georgia and “Civil Network OPORA” in Ukraine, as well as regional networks and organiza- tions like ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections) in Asia or and EISA (Electoral Institute of Southern Africa). USAID is the recognized leader in supporting political party development, a sometimes-misunderstood component of our work. Per its political party assistance policy, USAID does not support particular parties or “pick winners.” Rather, its assistance Three months after the death of President Michael Sata, a snap presidential election was held in Zambia on Jan. 20, 2015. USAID worked with election officials, political parties and civil society observers to ensure a peaceful, nationwide election. USAID/CAROLSAHLEY USAID A 90-year-old woman is biometrically verified to vote on Election Day in Ghana in 2017.