Democratic Governance

Upholding the Cornerstone of Democracy
While it is true that elections do not equal democracy, the act of freely casting a secret vote remains an enduring image and feature of democratic life. UNDP is concerned with achieving a balance between supporting the “act” of voting as exemplified by short-term, event-specific election assistance, and supporting the longer-term electoral systems and processes that help to sustain democratic principles throughout societies and their institutions. To this end, UNDP works to promote sustainable and transparent electoral processes and institutions that allow all citizens to elect their representatives freely and hold them accountable for commitments and results.

More specifically, UNDP works with programme countries and partners—both national and international— to promote four key results:

• Legal and institutional frameworks that enable free, fair, transparent and sustainable elections at all levels in place.
• Voter and civic education for democratic rights and responsibilities conducted.
• Electoral assistance coordinated.
• Women's participation in elections as voters and candidates increased and sustained.