The legitimacy of Afghanistan's next government will hinge in large measure on whether next April's elections are regarded as credible, particularly in light of fraud that marred the country’s polls in 2009 and 2010.

Given the increasingly important role that technology is playing in democratic reform efforts globally, NDI has named Sarah Oh to serve as its partnerships representative in Silicon Valley. Oh will be based at the Impact Hub in San Francisco, a collaborative working space that describes itself as part innovation lab, part business incubator and part community center. She will be responsible for liaising with NDI partners and tech innovators in Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area.

Throughout Latin America, political and civic leaders are under increasing pressure to solve pervasive problems such as poverty, insecurity, corruption and lack of government transparency. Some of that pressure is generated by social media and other new communications tools available to constituents. But new technology is also aiding the response.

Citizens’ increasing use of technology and social media presents both opportunities and challenges for the world’s parliaments.

Many parliaments, like the Brazilian Congress, are seeking to use technology to engage citizens in the legislative process in new ways. Its e-democracia website allows citizens to comment on legislation anywhere there is Internet access.