Amid one of the most intense electoral calendars in recent years—spanning presidential and legislative elections in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana and Honduras, legislative polls in Argentina, subnational elections in Uruguay and Honduras, and judicial elections in Mexico—the region confronted deep public frustration with democratic performance. This frustration was reflected in lower voter turnout, a rise in protest voting and increasingly radical candidacies, alongside mounting concerns about potential foreign interference. 

International IDEA’s Building Federal Democracy in Myanmar Programme has become a driving force in the country’s post-coup push for a democratic future. Despite conflict and fragmentation, the programme helped institutions involved in the democracy movement chart a transitional constitutional path and spur the adoption of six new state and regional constitutional frameworks. Through targeted governance support, mediation and dialogue, International IDEA broke deadlocks and strengthened coordination across the democratic movement. 

International IDEA released three publications in 2025 examining the voting rights of overseas citizens across Asia and the Pacific. Migration is deeply embedded in the region, with many citizens studying, working or settling abroad while elections take place in their countries of origin, posing challenges for voter registration, participation and representation.

A consortium of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nepal, supported by International IDEA, established a civil society platform to advocate for an electoral system that better enables women, Dalits and youth to assume political roles. The platform has helped build the capacity of Nepalese CSOs to advocate for citizens’ political rights. The project provides technical support to the Election Commission, advocates for legal and institutional reforms, counters misinformation and promotes digital civic education.

Nigeria is taking a landmark step towards modernizing how it protects and empowers its people. With support from International IDEA’s CSO Strengthening Bridge Project, the country has drafted a new Social Development Act Amendment Bill—as the old law no longer reflects Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, its complex social challenges or the vital role of civil society.

International IDEA’s work through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II) in Nigeria has strengthened Nigeria’s justice sector by improving detainee rights, ensuring access to justice for vulnerable groups, promoting the adoption of non‑custodial sentencing and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities.

International IDEA’s Consolidation of Democratic Dispensation in The Gambia project is driving a major step forward for women’s political participation in The Gambia, where women currently hold only 8.6 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, the country’s parliament. 

Following Gabon’s transitional period after the annulment of the country’s 2023 general elections, International IDEA urged the presidential candidates to sign the country’s first voluntary code of conduct—the Code of Good Conduct for the Candidates for Peaceful Presidential Elections in Gabon. Despite initial mistrust, the initiative helped foster a more peaceful electoral environment and inspired similar practices ahead of subsequent legislative and local elections.

Nigeria has for years been on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list—a designation for countries with gaps in tackling money laundering and terrorist financing. Countries on the list face strict restrictions in their ability to conduct international financial transactions, harming the economy of one of Africa’s powerhouses.

Ahead of Albania’s 2025 general election, International IDEA supported the creation of the country’s first Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigning, developed with the Central Election Commission, the National Democratic Institute and the University of Helsinki’s Rule of Law Centre.