Introduction: Supporting Democratic Development in Burkina Faso

Democracy at a Glance: Burkina Faso

When was the current constitution adopted? Overview of constitution How many people voted in the 1997 election? (Voter Turnout site) What electoral system is practised? How are votes counted? (ACE Project) When was the first time women had the right to vote and stand for elections? (Gender project)

Other International IDEA Publications : Democracy in Burkina Faso The Reform of the Electoral System in Burkina Faso Introduction & Summary of "Democracy in Burkina Faso" - English & French Publication press release (English and French)

External resources: global.finland Centre for Democratic Governance

Initiated in 1996, International IDEA's programme to support democratic development in Burkina Faso has the overall objective of advancing democracy by facilitating political dialogue and articulating a democratic reform agenda. To sustain the momentum generated by the dialogue started during the preparation and discussion of the reports, Democracy in Burkina Faso (1998) and The Reform of the Electoral System in Burkina Faso, (1999) International IDEA assisted in the setting up of an informal network of qualified local resource persons, the Contact Group. In 2000, the Contact Group identified a need to consolidate itself formally in a Centre for Democratic Governance (CDG) in Burkina Faso.

For the next phase, International IDEA will assist the CDG in the following areas: constitutional reform, capacity-building of political parties, reform of the electoral system and political participation and the democratic culture.

On 10th September, the Director of the Center for Democratic Governance, Professor Loada, delivered a speech at the Burkina Parliament on control mechanisms of the Parliament over the Government as part of the follow up activities to the 2002 elections.

Click here for the full text: French | English (Acrobat format).

The Center for the Democratic Governance (CDG) has now launched its Web Site. It is hoped that the site will become an asset to all those interested in democratic development in Burkina Faso and in West Africa.

Click here to read more about the project.

Results of a Round Table on the Results of the May, 2002 Elections
Ouagadougou, 20-22 November, 2002

Contact:

Jose-Maria Aranaz

En français

Le projet de soutien au développement démocratique mené par International IDEA au Burkina Faso a débuté ses opérations en 1996. Son objectif général est de stimuler le processus de démocratisation du pays à travers l´encouragement au dialogue politique et au moyen du développement d´un programme de réformes démocratiques. Pour prolonger et concrétiser les énergies mises en mouvement lors de la préparation et de la discussion du rapport sur l´état de la démocratie au Burkina Faso, International IDEA a aidé à la mise sur pied d´un réseau informel de personnalités nationales éminentes : le Groupe de Contact. En 2000, les membres de ce groupe ont estimé que le moment était venu d´institutionaliser leur réseau au sein d´ une structure nationale permanente, le Centre pour la Gouvernance Démocratique au Burkina Faso (le CGD).

Au cours des mois qui viennent, International IDEA entend fournir son appui technique et financier au développement et à la mise en oeuvre des projets du CGD dans les domaines de la réforme constitutionnelle, du soutien institutionnel aux partis politiques, à la réforme du système électoral et à l´encouragement à la participation politique et au développement de la culture démocratique.

Cliquer ici pour plus d´information sur le projet