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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
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 FAQ
Elections in the Republic of Maldives: September 7 Presidential Elections
Maldivians will head to the polls in the second democratic presidential election in the nation's history on September 7, 2013.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
IFES Alumni Goes Back to School, Looks to Level the Global Playing Field
Alexandra Matthews, a graduate student at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, tells us what she learned about empowering the vulnerable while at IFES, and how this work inspired her studies.
Election FAQ
Elections in the Maldives: March 22 Parliamentary Elections
Citizens of the Maldives vote this Saturday, March 22, for a new parliament. IFES FAQs shed light on these elections.
News & Updates
Feature
Nurturing Democracy in the Maldives
In June, The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) held a “Democracy Camp” for 40 youths, aged 14-16, from around the country.The primary goal of the camp is to enhance the participants’ knowledge on civic education, rights and responsibilities of a citizen, democracy, human rights and other pressing social issues. For this episode we hear the voices of Nihaya Ahmed, a camp participant, and IFES Chief of Party Dan Malinovich.
Publication
Report/Paper
Money and Elections in the Maldives
IFES conducted the first systematic nationwide survey of its kind in the Maldives. The survey was conducted to measure the prevalence of vote buying in the Maldives during the March 2014 parliamentary elections. The final report, Money and Election in Maldives: Perceptions and Reality, will be shared with the Government, the Parliament, the Election Commission, civil society, political parties and others.
November 17, 2014
News & Updates
Feature
IFES’ Women’s Leadership Training in the Maldives
This February, IFES Maldives conducted a Women’s Leadership training for female representatives of Maldives four main political parties; gender focal points at various government offices; and female managers from government bodies as well as the private sector.
News & Updates
Feature
Women’s Leadership Training in the Maldives
From February 10-12, 2015, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) conducted a Women’s Leadership Training in the Maldives for 28 female representatives from each of the country’s four main political parties; gender focal points at various government offices; and female managers from government bodies as well as the private sector. The training – informed by a needs assessment conducted in the weeks prior to the event – provided participants with a rare opportunity for women to come together across political party lines; learn about domestic violence laws in the Maldives; and build a strong women’s network.