As Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) prepared to go to the polls on Oct. 12, seven prominent civil society organizations from across the country coalesced under the banner of “Pod Lupom – Koalicija za slobodne i postene izbore” (Under the Magnifying Glass – Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) – to mobilize broad-based citizen oversight of the election process.

Inspired by the belief that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its youthful population, a foundation sponsored by the musician 2face Idibia and a prominent youth organization, the Youngstars Development Initiative, have unveiled a nationwide youth get-out-the-vote campaign to encourage a peaceful process surrounding the country’s general elections next February.

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Sheryl Vangadasamy, a member of parliament from Seychelles, is seeking new ways to engage her constituents, particularly young men and women, to encourage their increased participation in the politics of her country.

Azerbaijani democracy advocate Anar Mammadli was awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The award is given each year to recognize the contribution of individuals to “outstanding civil society action in defense of human rights in Europe and beyond.”

Mammadli did not accept the award in person, however, because he is in prison.