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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
Guinea: Technical Assistance to the 2000 Elections, IFES Final Report
This report summarizes IFES on-site technical assistance provided in Guinea. The report details IFES efforts with various political parties, civil society and the international community. The report is specific to Guinea’s June 25, 2000 municipal elections.
October 31, 2000
Publication
Report/Paper
Guinea Presidential Elections, December 14, 1998
This report summarizes IFES findings from Guinea in December 1997. The purpose of the document is to report on IFES assessments concerning the legal framework for presidential elections and propose recommendations for before, during and after the elections
December 13, 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
Guinea Pre-Election Technical Assessment, December 7-21 1997
This report summarizes IFES efforts in Guinea towards establishing a legal framework for the 1998 presidential elections.
April 30, 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
Guinea Ecuatorial: Informe de Evaluacion de IFES, Noviembre de 1997
October 31, 1997
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Equatorial Guinea Assessment Report, November 1997
This report summarizes IFES observations in Equatorial Guinea from 1997. The report discusses the political situation and the prospects for the future of democracy in the country.
October 31, 1997
Publication
Report/Paper
Zaire: Joint Pre-Election Assessment Mission, September/October 1996
This report assesses progress in elections preparations and highlights issues that needed to be addressed in Zaire prior to the 1997 elections. The report is designed to highlight needed areas of focus for elections in the country. The report considers governmental institutions, political parties and civil society and the roles they play in elections.
October 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Republique Congolaise Rapport Final: Mission d Evaluation Technique, 11 au 24 octobre 1995
This report was completed as a technical assessment of the electoral system in the Republic of Congo in 1995 in preparation for the presidential elections held in 1997. The report is broken into three parts; Congolese Society and Democratic Transition, Administration of Voter Registration and Elections and Citizen Identification, Census Activities and Voter Registration.
August 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Congo: 1995 Technical Assessment
This report was completed as a technical assessment of the electoral system in the Republic of Congo in 1995 in preparation for the presidential elections held in 1997. The report is broken into three parts; Congolese Society and Democratic Transition, Administration of Voter Registration and Elections and Citizen Identification, Census Activities and Voter Registration.
July 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Electoral Program for Equatorial Guinea
This report summarizes the assistance IFES provided to Equatorial Guinea to aid their Electoral Process. The report discusses a variety of topics, including electoral legislation, vote counting and results, electoral complaints and electoral registration.
September 30, 1995