Political Stability at Risk: National Elections in Indonesia 2014 and Myanmar 2015

Date: 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 4:10pm to 5:30pm

Location: 

124 Mt. Auburn Street, Suite 200-North, Cambridge, MA

Peter ErbenPeter Erben, International Foundation for Electoral Systems

About the Seminar
Indonesia, a developing democracy with experience in three rounds of national elections, and Myanmar/Burma, a nascent democracy, are both attempting to embrace the opportunities and manage the political risk of upcoming potentially fiercely competitive elections. The region needs electoral leadership that can inspire under-performing neighbors. Well executed elections can contribute to political stability, credible and effective governance, and ultimately spur growth. Can Indonesia and Myanmar, in each their particular context, overcome their challenges and in time develop to act as regional electoral role models? How can Myanmar learn from the achievements and shortcomings of elections in Indonesia?

About the Speaker
Peter Erben is one of the world’s leading electoral management experts – one of a few internationals ever called upon to direct national elections for other nations. He has previously been the Chief Electoral Officer and election commissioner of Kosovo and Afghanistan. He has directed large-scale out-of-country elections for Iraq and Afghanistan. During the past two decades Erben led initiatives to Burma, Libya, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nepal, Lebanon, East Timor, Pakistan, and a range of other countries. Today he is International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ senior global electoral advisor and works around the world. He is based out of Indonesia where he is also the country director.