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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
Mision de Observacion de las Elecciones de Guinea Ecuatorial, Marzo de 1996
February 29, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Election Awareness Workshops for Palestinian Women, June 1994, West Bank & Gaza, Final Report
IFES convened a series of nine election awareness workshops in the West Bank and Gaza from June 16 to June 24, 1994. The workshops gathered Palestinian women political and community activists in 8 different localities. The workshops aimed at familiarizing participants with electoral issues to prepare women to mobilize for the Palestinian Council elections. This report summarizes IFES' findings from these workshops.
August 31, 1994
Publication
Report/Paper
Pre-Election Assessment West Bank & Gaza
This pre-election assessment summarizes IFES findings from the West Bank and Gaza where IFES conducted a survey on the prospects and plans for Palestinian elections to be held under the framework of the September 13 Declaration of Principles. The assessment concludes that steps must be taken in order to hold elections that will be seen as legitimate in the eyes of Palestinians themselves and the outside world.
May 09, 1994
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Candidate information poster for Taipei municipal elections
This poster for the 1994 Taipei municipal elections in Taiwan provides candidate information in order to educate Taiwanese voters in an effort to ensure educated voting.