Electronic Voting & Counting Technologies - IFES

ABOUTThe AuthorBen Goldsmith is a senior electoral advisor with over 10 years of experience advising and managing electionadministration projects in post-conflict and developing democracies. Goldsmith currently serves as IFES’chief of party in Pakistan. He manages the implementation of an electoral assistance program directed atthe Election Commission of Pakistan and Pakistani civil society. In this role he focuses on issues such asimproving the voter registry, election law unification and reform, training and capacity building, and the useof new voting technologies.Goldsmith has helped to conduct elections in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Kingdom,including serving as the deputy chief election officer for the 2005 National Assembly and Provincial CouncilElections. He has also provided technical assistance in Georgia, Egypt, Lebanon, Nepal and Pakistan.Prior to IFES, Goldsmith held electoral roles with and on behalf of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office,the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Organization for Migration, theUnited Nations and international non-governmental organizations such as The Asia Foundation. He holdsextensive experience in a number of different regions, including Europe, South Asia and the Middle East, andhas managed projects in over 20 countries.Goldsmith holds two master’s degrees from the University of Bristol: a M.Sc. in International Relationsand a L.L.M. in International Law. Goldsmith has published numerous articles on elections, out of countryvoting and Central Asian politics.IFESThe International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is the leading election assistance and democracypromotion non-governmental organization.IFES promotes democratic stability by providing technical assistance and applying field-based researchto the electoral cycle in countries around the world to enhance citizen participation and strengthen civilsocieties, governance and transparency.Every IFES project is staffed by national and international personnel while partnering with local electionmanagement bodies and civil society organizations. This homegrown approach ensures that the expertiseoffered by IFES fits the needs of the country or client and the benefit of assistance outlasts the life of theproject. Our work is nonpartisan and includes projects that:• Help citizens participate in their democracies• Increase politicians’ accountability to the electorate• Strengthen government institutionsSince its founding in 1987, IFES has worked in 133 countries — from developing democracies to maturedemocracies.IFES is registered in the United States as a 501(c)3 organization.iiElectronic Voting & Counting Technologies: A Guide to Conducting Feasibility Studies