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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
News & Updates
Feature
Myanmar’s Election Commission Takes Steps to Achieve Gender Equality and Include Voters with Disabilities
After five decades of military rule, Myanmar has initiated an ongoing process of democratic reform, opening new and significant political space. However, persons with disabilities in Myanmar still face numerous obstacles in accessing their right to vote, and, at only 6.8 percent, Myanmar has one of the lowest percentages of women in parliament in the region.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES Supports Efforts to Promote Women’s Engagement in Elections in Myanmar
In Myanmar, there is a significant gap between men and women’s engagement in elections, politics and governance. There is much work to be done to ensure gender equality in the electoral process. The Union Election Commission of Myanmar (UEC), with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is working on a number of initiatives to better incorporate women into the process.
News & Updates
Feature
CEPPS Partners Meet with Myanmar’s Speaker of Parliament
On May 1, 2015, IFES, NDI and IRI met with Thura U Shwe Mann, Speaker of Myanmar’s lower house of Parliament, to discuss Myanmar’s democratic progress.
News & Updates
Feature
Women’s Election and Leadership Training Program
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has implemented the Women’s Election and Leadership Program in several countries to develop the capacity of women to participate in the election process as election officials and to develop leadership skills among women. These programs provide a blend of technical knowledge and soft skills to enable trainees to effectively use the knowledge and skills gained in electoral roles.
News & Updates
Feature
Angelina Jolie Meets with Participants of the IFES-Supported She Leads Program in Myanmar
Angelina Jolie met with the Yangon participants of the She Leads training program on her recent trip to Myanmar as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador. She Leads is a training program implemented by Yaung Chi Thit, with the support of IFES, that seeks to address the lack of women’s leadership at all levels of state and society and provide women with the skills and confidence to become leaders within their communities.