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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
Technical Assistance Project, Guyana, Final Report April 30, 1998
This report discusses the procurement of election materials for the 1997 presidential and parliamentary elections in Guyana. The report also discusses IFES election observations from the 1997 general elections.
April 29, 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
Mision de Observacion de las Elecciones de Guinea Ecuatorial, Marzo de 1996
February 29, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Guyana Final Report, Civil and Voter Registration and Identification System
This report focuses on the creation and implementation of a new civil registry and voter identification system in Guyana. The report also discusses the possibility of creating an independent Elections Commission to foster free and fair elections.
July 31, 1995
Publication
Report/Paper
Guyana Election Technical Assessment Report: 1994 Local Government and Municipal Elections
This report discusses IFES’ voter and civic education program, its poll worker training program and the provision of goods in Guyana’s 1994 local and municipal elections (the first contested elections in more than two decades).
October 31, 1994
Publication
Report/Paper
Final Report, Guyana Election Assistance Project, October 1990 to November 1992
This report serves as a summary of IFES’ role in the development of the Guyanese electoral process for the October 1992 national elections. IFES technical support for these elections included the provision of electoral materials, helping with the logistics of the election and civic education.
January 31, 1993
Publication
Report/Paper
Guyana: A Pre-Election Technical Assessment Report, October 31, 1990, revised March 22, 1991
IFES provided an on-site technical assessment of Guyana’s electoral system prior to the 1991 Parliamentary elections. This report summarizes IFES findings, including a review of electoral law, the various political parties and election commodities.
March 21, 1991
Publication
Report/Paper
Guyana: A Pre-Election Technical Assessment Report, October 31, 1990
IFES provided an on-site technical assessment of Guyana’s electoral system prior to the 1991 Parliamentary elections. This report summarizes IFES findings, including a review of electoral law, the various political parties and election commodities.
October 30, 1990