The Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) was established in October 2008. It was a spin-off of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) which was established in 2006 as a coalition of 30 domestic non-governmental organizations to observe general elections and mobilize voters. After having conducted the largest domestic observation of General Elections 2008 and influencing the subsequent process of electoral reforms in Pakistan, member organizations that formed FAFEN decided to formalize the network into a legal entity. The establishment of TDEA and subsequent process of institutionalization was a step towards sustainability of work initiated in the area of election observation, voter education, and electoral reforms advocacy. Subsequently, TDEA was registered under Trust Act 1880.

TDEA executes its programs across Pakistan through FAFEN with the aim of advancing its vision of creating a democratic and just society that guarantees rights, respect, and dignity of all individuals cutting across age, gender, ethnic and religious divisions.