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Elections in the DRC: November 28 Presidential & Legislative Elections for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
To better understand the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, IFES has released a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
November 23, 2011
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Launches Innovative Civic Education Program in the Democratic Republic of Congo
USAID recently awarded IFES a $5.2 million contract to conduct a 2‐year civic education program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The program is designed to help fulfill the Congolese government’s commitment to a process of decentralization to reverse the country’s legacy of poor governance, corruption, and geographic inequality by bringing greater accountability and inclusion at the local level.
News & Updates
Feature
Combating Corruption in Central Africa
IFES is working with civil society organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi on two new anti-corruption projects. The projects train civil society groups and government institutions to investigate corruption, and provide forums in which citizens and politicians discuss serious issues. The end goal is to improve transparency and expose public trust violations.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Statement on Eve of Congolese Elections
On Sunday, July 30th, millions of Congolese will go to the polls to cast their votes in the country’s first multiparty elections since independence in 1960.
News & Updates
Feature
DRC Election 2006: Picture Box
One of the tools used by IFES’ local trainers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the boîte à images, or picture box. The boîte contains 27 pictures that illustrate important concepts of democracy, free elections and civic responsibility after the polls.
Publication
Report/Paper
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Strengthening the Political Process during the Transition Period. May 26, 2005.
This report focuses on IFES efforts to strengthen the political process during the DRC’s transition period. The report details the creation and support of the Independent Electoral Council and IFES support provided to Congolese Civil Society.
May 25, 2005
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
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Les vertus de la non-violence
“Les vertus de la non-violence” is a report from June 2000, available in French, which focuses on non-violence and the importance of discussion and compromise in the process of conflict resolution. The document, published by the organization Medias pour la Paix, lists the benefits of non-violence in promoting peace and development in the Democratic Republic of Congo.