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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
Civic Education Material
Partidos Politicos Estudiantiles
“Student Political Parties” is an informative document, available in Spanish, issued by the Ministry of Public Education in Costa Rica, and intended to lay out the obligations and duties of student officers who are willing to participate in the electoral process of the student government election. Additionally, the document contains the requirements for registering the student government groups. Moreover, it describes the main student bodies with their attributes and responsibilities.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Papel de oficio No. 981245 E
“Legal Paper Nr. 98126 E” is an informative document, available in Spanish, issued in 1990 by the MANO, a student government political party from the Nocturnal High school of Limon, Costa Rica, and addressed to the School’s Student Electoral Tribunal. The document is a letter of registration by MANO (”Authentic Nocturnal Organized Movement”) to the School’s Student Electoral Tribunal, presenting the student political party’s members, program, symbol and flag.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Colegio Nocturno de Limon
“Nocturnal High School of Limon” is an informative leaflet, available in Spanish, Issued in 1989 by the student body of the Student Integral Party for the Fight (“Partido Integro Estudantil por la Lucha”). The brochure identifies the student run political party and its officers.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Sample Ballot with parties MOTA and MAE
“Sample Ballot with Parties MOTA and MAE” is a sample ballot, available in Spanish, issued in 1989 by the Student Electoral Tribunal, in lead up to the student government elections. The ballot contains the names, photos and list of members of the two student political parties running for office.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Tribunal Elecciones Estudiantiles
“Student Electoral Tribunal” is a sample ballot, available in Spanish, issued in 1989, by the Student Electoral Tribunal of the San Antonio of Belen Spanish School, Costa Rica, in lead up to the 1989 Student Tribunal Executive Committee Elections. The ballot contains the names, photos, and the flag colors of the student political parties running for office as well as the list of the parties’ members.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Diga si Vota No
“Say Yes, Vote No” is an informative leaflet, available in Spanish, issued by IDEAS-Temuco organization, Costa Rica and intended to encourage voters to vote “Yes” and “No” on specific issues. The leaflet provides the list of what people are encouraged to approve or disapprove. The “No” vote is mainly concerned with ethnic discrimination and repression.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Un Gobierno …
“One Government…” is a high school government campaign poster, available in Spanish, issued in 1988 by a high school party in Costa Rica in lead up to the elections of the student government.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Plan de Gobierno le los Quintos Grados de la Escuela Joaquin Lizano Gutierrez
“Government’s Five Goals Plan for the Joaquin Lizano Gutierez High School” is a proposal document, available in Spanish, issued in 1987 by the Student Electoral Tribunal of Joaquin Lizano Gutierrez High School, Costa Rica. The proposal document encloses a list of goals a student government party has and the rules for candidates/parties in the elections.