Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
Publication
Report/Paper
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
Council of Representatives Election Composite Report
In the December 15 election, 11,895,756 valid votes were cast inside Iraq and 295,377 were cast outside of Iraq making a grand total of 12,191,133. This was an increase over 9,852,291 ballots cast in October and 8,550,571 cast in January. There were also 139,656 invalid votes (1.1%) and 62,836 blank ballots (.05%) – for a total of 12,098,248 votes cast on December 15 in Iraq and 298,383 outside of Iraq (valid ballots plus 1,912 invalid ballots and 1,094 blank ballots) for a grand total of 12,396,631. If the in-country total is applied against the number of individuals in the voter registration database (15,568,702), it represents a turnout of 77.7% compared with 63.3% for October and 57.7% for January. The IECI annulled results at 227 polling stations because of irregularities. By governorate, the turnout ranged from 64.67% in Qadissiya to 98.43 in Salahadin...
December 14, 2005
Publication
Report/Paper
Political Finance in Post-Conflict Societies
This report draws lessons from eight cases in order to provide some guidelines for addressing the serious and often complex issues concerning the role of money in the political process in these societies.
April 30, 2006
Publication
Book
Political Finance in Post-Conflict Societies
This study of political finance in post-conflict society identifies lessons learned from international donor-funded efforts to support political processes in post-conflict environments in general and the funding of political parties and campaign finance in particular. The document consists of eight case studies that seek to improve our understanding not only of the political dynamics of post-conflict situations but also of how to rally international support for holding elections and supporting democratization under such circumstances.
April 30, 2006
Publication
Report/Paper
East Timor Candidate List Analysis
This graphic analysis from IFES’ Mauricio Claudio Lopez-Rivera examines the geographic diversity of each party’s candidate list and the number of voters in each district.
December 31, 2006
Publication
Report/Paper
EVER Report on Election Violence in East Timor - Number 1
The First Report on Electoral Violence issued by the EVER Program covers the period from 28 May through 12 June 2007. A total of 34 incidents of election-related violence were captured and verified by EVER monitors during this period.
June 21, 2007
Publication
Report/Paper
EVER Report on Election Violence in East Timor - Number 2
The Second Report on Electoral Violence issued by the EVER Program covers June 13 to July 1, 2007. A total of 45 incidents of election-related violence were captured and verified by EVER monitors during this period. This is an increase from the 34 reported in the first report.
July 10, 2007
Publication
Report/Paper
EVER Report on Election Violence in East Timor - Number 3
The Third Report on Electoral Violence issued by the EVER Program covers the period from July 2 to July 12, 2007. A total of 15 incidents of election-related violence were captured and verified by EVER monitors during this period. This is a dramatic decrease from the 45 incidents during the second reporting period.
July 31, 2007
Publication
Report/Paper
EVER Report on Election Violence in East Timor - Number 4
The Fourth Report on Electoral Violence issued by the EVER Program covers the period from July 13 to July 26, 2007. A total of 4 incidents of election-related violence were captured and verified by EVER monitors during this period. This is a further decrease from the 15 incidents reported during the third reporting period.
August 08, 2007