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Elections on Trial Project: Inaugural Meeting of the Europe and Eurasia Electoral Jurisprudence Working Group
IFES is working to establish peer networks in Europe and Eurasia and Africa, supported by the United States Agency for International Development. Regional knowledge exchange allows judges and election commissioners to discuss best practices and share comparative examples of how other countries deal with specific categories of complaints and disputes.
Election FAQ
Elections in Costa Rica: 2014 National Elections
On February 2, Costa Rica will hold national elections to elect a new President. IFES FAQs gives insight into these elections.
Publication
Report/Paper
Lithuania: Money and Politics Case Study
Lithuania has rapidly developed both politically and economically since emerging from the Soviet Union in 1991. While the country has built a functioning parliamentary system of government, has become a member of NATO, and is on the verge of joining the European Union, it still faces many problems associated with the many consolidating democracies around the world. As in all democracies, populations need to trust that those they elect will represent their interests. Problems such as corruption, weaknesses in laws concerning the political financing, and unaccounted for political income and expenditures threaten the credibility of the process and hinder the speed at which democracy is consolidated. Additionally, Lithuania lacks the high level of vibrant debate about the issue of political financing among scholars, journalists and civil society bodies required to promote meaningful reform. Recognizing this, Lithuania has developed an independent Central Electoral Committee (CEC) and adopted laws requiring detailed and public disclosure of political finance accounts. Prior to conducting Money and Politics programming in Lithuania, the CEC had made a demonstrable interest in making information public. While scanning summary report of accounts and placing them on the internet, the user could not search, not easily compare and analyze the information. Interested parties were required to make an appointment to view more detailed, paper-based information. Further, while the Tax Authorities are required to audit final political party reports, enforcement is widely considered to be weak. Few, if any, cases of political finance violations have been forwarded and investigated, not to mention prosecuted. By addressing the difficult issues surrounding political finance with the support of IFES in 2002 and 2003, Lithuania is emerging as a model for other consolidating democracy to follow. Significant areas remain to be addressed. While Lithuania has taken concrete steps to reform political finance legislation, open political finance information to public scrutiny and oversight, and encourage debate, further efforts are required to actively enforce laws and regulations and raise the level of debate among the various governmental, legislative, and civil society groups. By addressing these areas, Lithuania has the potential for being an example of best practices while making local expertise and resources to other countries undergoing similar reforms.
December 31, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Gabon Pre-Election Technical Assessment, October 8 - 25, 1998
This report summarizes IFES findings from the December 1998 presidential election in Gabon. The report discusses the national election committee, poll worker training, media and elections and lastly, civic education.
February 28, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation Technique Pre-Electorale au Gabon du 8 au 25 Octobre 1998
This report summarizes IFES findings from the December 1998 presidential election in Gabon. The report discusses the national election committee, poll worker training, media and elections and lastly, civic education.
February 28, 1999
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Mon livret d'education civique: 3eme
“Mon livret d’education civique: 3eme” is a civic education manual from 1995, available in French, which teaches students about the Constitution, the hierarchy of government, elections, and the justice system in Gabon. The document, published by the National Pedagogical Institute of Gabon, is aimed at students who are preparing to take the ‘Brevet des Colleges’ exam (taken at the end of 9th grade) and contains quizzes, questions and games on different civic education subjects.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Mon livret d'education civique: Cours Moyen
“Mon livret d’education civique: Cours Moyens” is a manual from 1995, available in French, which teaches students about the geography, different municipalities and communes, political regime, and branches of government in Gabon. The document, published by the National Pedagogical Institute of Gabon, is aimed at middle school students and contains different lessons, quizzes and games on these civic education subjects.
Election Material
Ballot
Costa Rica Municipales Ballot 1994
Ballot used for municipal elections in Costa Rica on 6 February 1994. The ballot shows parties running in the Central Canton in the Province of San Jose.