The Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) is a cooperative agreement supervised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Democracy and Governance made in 1995. As part of USAID's Acceleration Success initiative, the agreement is the principal contractor for the Office of Democracy and Government's elections and political processes program which provides technical assistance and support to USAID missions worldwide. The agreement includes the International Republican Institute (IRI), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
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Activities
The following are examples of activities which CEPPS has taken part in.
Afghanistan
CEPPS implemented a cooperative agreement funded by USAID starting in 2003 and terminating in 2011 concerning the "Strengthening of elections and political process." The cooperative agreement is meant to improve the effectiveness of the Independent Electoral Commission, support the National Assembly, support the development of provincial councils and increase grassroot movements in support of democracy. CEPPS reported training more than 2000 local leaders in civic education and registering 46 political parties before the end of 2004. Additionally CEPPS established eight election training and information centres by 2004.
Through the "Support for Increased Electoral Participation in Afghanistan" program IFES, IRI and NDI:
Philippines
The Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC) asked CEPPS to assess the political situation leading up to the May 10, 2004 elections. CEPPS agreed to take part in a mission funded by USAID. The project was meant to observe the elections in order to make recommendations to COMELEC and other political players, to host a post-election program to evaluate and make recommendations to these political players and to make recommendations to the media following the election.