GNDEM
GNDEM, with 251 member organizations in 89 countries and territories, and regional network members in Africa, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East/North Africa, has worked to facilitate and enhance the critical work of citizen election monitors throughout the world.
GNDEM Expresses Serious Concern about Arrest of Leading Uganda Nonpartisan Citizen Observer and GNDEM Chairperson
The Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) expresses its serious concern regarding the arrest of Dr. Sarah Bireete in advance of Uganda upcoming general elections on 15 January 2026. Dr. Bireete is a leading Ugandan nonpartisan citizen observer and respected human rights lawyer who is Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) based in Kampala, Uganda. She also serves as Chair of the GNDEM Board as well as the East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network (E-Horn). As of this moment, no clear or credible explanation has been provided by the police or the prosecution regarding the specific legal grounds for her arrest or the charges being considered against her. Nor has she been provided access to legal counsel. This lack of transparency is unacceptable. Continue Reading
GNDEM Webinar Prompts Cross Regional Problem-Solving to Meet Challenging Moment for Citizen Election Observers
Citizen election observers are facing increasing challenges to safeguard their own elections as a result of recent cuts in foreign aid, being forced to pivot in real-time to continue their work during this time of crisis. In light of these events, on October 9, 2025 GNDEM brought together the global community of nonpartisan citizen observers, along with donors, partners, and other key stakeholders for a webinar to discuss the impact of the changing funding environment, understand the shifting priorities of donors, and explore practical approaches to design effective fundraising strategies and ensure long-term sustainability for robust citizen election observation. Continue Reading
GNDEM Condemns Continued Efforts by the Georgian Government to Close Civic Space and Undermine Citizen Observers
The Global Network for Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) once again condemns the continued efforts by the Georgian government to close civic space, limit basic freedoms and undermine the activities of citizen observers. Most recently, at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, a Tbilisi City Court judge froze bank accounts of at least seven non-governmental organizations, including GNDEM member and citizen observation organization the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED). The actions of the Prosecutor’s Office are retribution against civil society over public protests started after the Georgian government’s decision to halt the EU accession talks following the contested 2024 parliamentary elections. Continue Reading