U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Walter E. North announced today that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a grant to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to support the Government of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville with upcoming electoral events, including planning for the referendum. The activity is called the Peaceful and Inclusive Elections and Referendum (PIER) project. On March 9, a PIER assistance team will arrive in Bougainville to begin work with local authorities.

“The U.S. Government wants to work with the people of Bougainville and other partners to ensure that the upcoming electoral events are open, transparent and peaceful. Based on its extensive experience across the world, I expect IFES to provide first class international insights to the relevant authorities.”

Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 135 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies. IFES’ expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions by providing technical assistance to election officials, empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle.

Source:
Embassy of the United States of America
http://portmoresby.usembassy.gov/mr3515.html