It puts people first. It advances women rather than discriminates against them. Such development does not occur in a political vacuum. It depends on good governance and the empowerment of the many communities in civil society to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. These are mutually reinforcing and cannot stand alone.
Elections provide a crucial step in the democratic process.
Since 1992, the United Nations has provided electoral assistance to 71 countries. UNDP has supported most of these with financing and other assistance. Throughout the world, people are struggling for peace, justice and prosperity by asserting democratic principles and seeking more democratic institutions. People want to take control of their own development - power must be vested in them. However, elections, in themselves, are not a sufficient condition for building democracy and good governance.