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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
A Rights-Based Approach to Electoral Security
In India, Maoist rebels killed 14 people in attacks in Chhattisgarh state as part of a campaign of violence aimed at disrupting the ongoing five-week national election in the world’s most populous democracy. Similarly, in the days leading up to the April 5 presidential election in Afghanistan, the Taliban unleashed a campaign of violence to discredit the electoral process and keep voters from the polls. Many hope this election will be known for delivering the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history.
News & Updates
Feature
Ukraine Gender Assessment 2014
Despite the fact that Ukraine enacted progressive laws related to women compared to other post-Soviet countries, including on trafficking and domestic violence, its percentage of women in parliament has remained below 10 percent since independence, more than two decades ago.
Publication
Report/Paper
Internally Displaced Persons and Electoral Participation: A Brief Overview
IFES’ “Internally Displaced Persons and Electoral Participation: A Brief Overview” represents the culmination of intensive research, which is intended to further develop IDP electoral rights.
November 14, 2016
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News & Updates
Feature
Launch of IFES White Paper on IDPs and Electoral Participation in Ukrainian
On Dec. 10, 2016, IFES Senior Global Electoral Adviser and Ukraine Country Director Peter Erben unveiled the recently translated Ukrainian and Russian editions of IFES’ newly published global white paper, “Internally Displaced Persons and Electoral Participation: A Brief Overview.”
News & Updates
Feature
Intersectionality and Article 29 Panel at the United Nations Headquarters
On June 13, 2018, IFES co-hosted a side event at the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
News & Updates
Feature
Elections on Trial Project: Inaugural Meeting of the Europe and Eurasia Electoral Jurisprudence Working Group
IFES is working to establish peer networks in Europe and Eurasia and Africa, supported by the United States Agency for International Development. Regional knowledge exchange allows judges and election commissioners to discuss best practices and share comparative examples of how other countries deal with specific categories of complaints and disputes.
News & Updates
Feature
Women of IFES: Q&A with Renata Levovski
IFES’ leadership in the field is comprised of a cadre of women professionals with firsthand experience administering elections in every region of the world. In this Q&A, Renata Levovski reflects on her professional journey in democracy development, the different countries where she has worked and the many salient issues she has been able to address through her career at IFES.
News & Updates
Feature
How to Protect Gender Equality in Elections During COVID-19
Disasters often inflame and exacerbate existing inequalities, and women continue to be largely left out of decision-making processes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Electoral stakeholders should work to ensure that gender does not serve as a barrier to electoral and political rights during this crisis.