National Governance

USAID Promotes Local Governance Projects National Governance With the transfer of sovereignty to an interim government on June 28, 2004, and successful elections on January 30, 2005, Iraqis are guiding the establishment of a new government and Iraqi citizens are actively voicing their opinions on the country's political situation. To ensure the continuation of these opportunities, USAID is providing support to Iraq's national government. In its first year, USAID democracy initiatives focused on local governance and community engagement. In its second and third years USAID democracy assistance added support for elections, the interim and transitional national governments, constitutional development, civil society, and the justice system. ACCOPMLISHMENTS To date, USAID has awarded three grants to support the national government. Transition Support to the Iraqi Interim Governing Body: The Iraqi Transition Government (ITG) and the Iraqi National Assembly (INA) receive technical assistance from USAID through a grant to two U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Technical experts are working with the ITG to provide logistical support to the governing bodies, aid in the institutionalization of government processes, and ensure public access and input into the ITG and the INA. Orientation sessions and trainings have been provided to INA members and staff to assist in the functioning of the newly established parliamentary body. Electoral Oversight and Voter Education: USAID awarded a $50 million cooperative agreement to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS)-a consortium of U.S. NGOs consisting of IFES, the International Republic Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI)-to support civil society involvement in the full cycle of transitional elections as specified in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL). This includes the January, 2005 National and Provincial Assembly elections, the October 2005 Constitutional referendum and the December 2005 National Assembly elections. The program builds the capacity of citizens and civil society to provide oversight and ensure transparent and credible election events in the following ways: to educate voters on democracy and elections; to monitor the electoral process; and to monitor and mitigate any potential conflict during the electoral cycle. Electoral Technical Assistance to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI): USAID awarded a $40 million cooperative agreement to CEPPS to provide technical and material support to the IECI as it prepared for Iraq's ambitious series of transitional elections. This program was designed to support the efforts of the United Nations in increasing the staffing, skills, and capacity of the IECI and assist in creating a nation-wide structure, administering voter registration efforts, developing a regulatory and administrative framework, training staff, and conducting the polling on Election Day. NEXT STEPS USAID is supporting the constitutional process as requested by the ITG and the INA's constitutional drafting committee. Broad public debate and participation in the process will play an important role in the final approval of the constitution. USAID is being called upon to provide technical experts and assistance, training, public awareness and participation campaigns, commodities, and other necessary support for the constitutional process. This support will include assistance with drafting the constitutional process and related public education initiatives, and is structured to facilitate and manage input from the broad range of stakeholders with particular emphasis on underrepresented groups, women and religious groups.