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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
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Translation of The Laws and Regulations on Presidential Elections in The Maldives - 1998
Translation of The Laws and Regulations on Presidential Elections in The Maldives - 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
Mision de Observacion de las Elecciones de Guinea Ecuatorial, Marzo de 1996
February 29, 1996
Election Material
Constitution
Boletin oficial del estado (Official Bulletin of the State)
Fundamental Laws of Equatorial Guinea as on January 1992.
-Ley Fundamental (Fundamental Law)
-Ley de Amnistia (Amnesty Law)
-Ley de Partidos Politicos de Guinea Ecuatorial (Political Party Law of Equatorial Guinea
-Ley de Libertad de Reunion y Manifestacion (Law on the Liberty to Assemble and Protest)
-Ley 5/1992 por la que se revisa la ley reguladora del ejercicio de la Libertad de Religion (Law revising the law on the regulation of the freedom of religion)
-Ley de Political Nacional de Empleo (Law on Employment)
-Ley 4/1991 Reguladora del Ejercicio de la Libertad Religiosa (Law on the Exercise of Religious Freedom)
-Ley de Derecho de Queja y Peticion (Law on Petitions)
-Ley Fundamental (Fundamental Law)
-Ley de Amnistia (Amnesty Law)
-Ley de Partidos Politicos de Guinea Ecuatorial (Political Party Law of Equatorial Guinea
-Ley de Libertad de Reunion y Manifestacion (Law on the Liberty to Assemble and Protest)
-Ley 5/1992 por la que se revisa la ley reguladora del ejercicio de la Libertad de Religion (Law revising the law on the regulation of the freedom of religion)
-Ley de Political Nacional de Empleo (Law on Employment)
-Ley 4/1991 Reguladora del Ejercicio de la Libertad Religiosa (Law on the Exercise of Religious Freedom)
-Ley de Derecho de Queja y Peticion (Law on Petitions)