CAIRO: Elections are the largest and most extensive logistical exercise conducted during peacetime involving almost the entire adult population of a state or nation, stated Emad Yousef, Arab World Project Manager from the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), at a five-day conference held at the Marriott hotels and resorts. The conference covered topics such as election administration, electoral systems and voter registration. It provided a general definition of elections as well as why they are held. According to Yousef they are representations of the community, whether that be political, geographical or social. The United Nations Development Program, the IDEA, IFES (formerly known as the International Foundation for Election Systems) and National Council for Human Rights took part in the conference and sponsor a project known as BRIDGE, "Buying Recourses In Democracy, Governance and Elections. This project is a unique tool, targeting the comprehensive professional development of not only election administrators but also other stakeholders involved in the election process such as members of the media, political parties and civil society. The fifth and final day of the conference concentrated on women and their participation in the election process because, as one participant at the conference stated, they not only make up half of the community but they also produce the other half. The 20 or so participants at the conference all had their own views on whether or not a quota should be in place for women; they were divided into two groups - one for and the other against. The ones opposing believed that by having a quota for women they will be favoring them over senior citizens, the handicapped and minorities. They also believed that if a quota for women really could have a positive affect on the country it would have been formed a long time ago. The ones for the quota however said that it isn't just about what they say goes but at least hear them out because they are the other half of men, and they just want to voice their opinions.
