INTRODUCTION. The purpose of the guide. Assumptions underlying the guide. BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE: ASSESSING THE CONTEXTUAL FACTORS. The US Legal and Policy Context. Foreign policy isssues. CATEGORY OF ELECTION. THE SECURITY CONTEXT. Civil War or its Immediate Aftermath. High level of violence. The role of the military. THE POLITICAL CONTEXT. Political parties. Political conflict and social cleavages. Political culture. Associational life. BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE: ASSESSING THE INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS. An electoral law. Voting systems. The judiciary. Electoral Commission and Electoral Administration. Voter registry. Political parties. Domestic NGOs. The media. MAKING THE CALL. Conditions necessary. A **menu** of calls. WHEN THERE IS NO CHOICE: EXAMPLES OF RAPID RESPONSES. Rapid Pre-Election Appraisal. Cutting corners. MANAGING ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE. Cooperating with external agencies bilateral & multilateral. Timing questions. Ongoing engagement with local actors. Gender issues. Cooperation with US agencies and partners. Post-electoral planning. TOOLS OF ASSISTANCE. PRE-ELECTORAL ASSESSMENT. INTERNAL OBSERVATION. Some terms. Relationship with the Host Government and Organizations. Issues of Autonomy. Selection of the Observers. Collection of information. Election Day Activities. Assessing the Electoral Process. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Personnel. Commodities. TRAINING. Training of Election Commissioners. Training of Local Poll Watchers. Training of Local Poll Workers. Civic Education. Political Party Developments. POST-ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE. OTHER ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE. Convening electoral roundtables. Parallel Vote Tabulations. REALITY CHECK : FOUR CHECKLISTS. Eary predictors of an unsatisfactory election. Things to watch out for. Selected lessons suggested for application and testing. Minimal conditions for a fair and free election. BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND ACCESS TO MATERIALS. Election guides. Election reports. Books, articles and monographies. APPENDIX: PEOPLE CONTACTED.

Hirschmann, David. Mendelson, Johanna. (s.f.). Managing democratic electoral assistance : a practical guide for USAID (1a.ed. ed.). Center for Democracy and Governance.