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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
Election Observation Mission; Honduras General Elections, Nov 25, 2001, Final Report
This report summarizes IFES election observations in Honduras (2001). The report discusses the current (circa 2001) electoral system and the training of poll-workers, voter registration and vote counts
December 30, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
International Election Observation, Honduras, November 21-27 2001: Observation Guide
This document reports on IFES election observations from the November 2001 general elections in Honduras. The document includes observations from various organizations such as the CIA, CNN Election Watch and USAID.
November 14, 2001
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Departmental Electoral Law - Uruguay
Departmental Electoral Law - Uruguay
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Uruguay Electoral Law - 1999
Uruguay Electoral Law - 1999
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Regulations on internal Elections in Political Parties
Regulations on internal Elections in Political Parties
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Law on The Use of Media By Political Parties
Law on The Use of Media By Political Parties
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Law on internal Elections in Political Parties
Law on internal Elections in Political Parties
Publication
Report/Paper
Electoral Training Project Final Report, November 1997
This report summarizes evaluates curricula materials and training provided to pollworkers in Honduras. The report also discusses the technical assistance provided to the Honduran Tribunal Nacional de Elecciones.
November 30, 1997