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Election Material
Constitution
The Draft Constitution of Ethiopia
English translation of the 1994 draft constitution of Ethiopia.
Election FAQ
Elections in Iraq: April 20 Governorate Council Elections
Despite the ongoing and escalating political violence, on April 20, Iraqi citizens will elect their representatives to Governorate (Provincial) Councils. These elections will be a good test-run for parliamentary elections scheduled in 2014. IFES' frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Elections in Iraq: April 20 Governorate Council Elections goes into detail and provides the context in which the elections will take place.
Election Material
Ballot
Iraq Sample Ballot 1995
Sample ballot from the 1995 Presidential referendum in Iraq. In the first election since 1979, voters were asked, "Do you approve of President Saddam Hussein being the President of the Republic?"
Publication
Report/Paper
Ethiopia: Implications of the May 2005 Elections for Future Democratization Programs
May 15, 2005 elections presented the Ethiopian people a remarkable opportunity to express their political views by participating in a poll that offered them a meaningful choice. In contrast to earlier elections in 1995 and 2000, opposition parties did not boycott but rather competed vigorously across the country. Opposition party mistrust of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), reports of intimidation and violence, and highly polarizing rhetoric raised concerns during the pre-election period but did not deter opposition parties from campaigning in nearly every constituency.
July 31, 2005
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
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
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Iraq Holds Key Election in Development of Democracy
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi citizens went to the polls to elect representatives to replace the governorate councils elected in 2009. Governorate councils rule their provinces with broad powers and carry significant weight within Iraq's political structure. IFES Chief of Party Anna Wiktorowska answers some questions about Election Day and what this poll means to Iraq's democracy.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
CEDAW Anniversary: Mainstreaming Women's Engagement in Iraq
As with most of the countries in the Middle East, Iraq is a religiously conservative and patriarchal society. Women in Iraq are affected by exclusion from different levels of decision-making roles in their communities due to societal traditions and norms. IFES Program Associate Amy Chin, Program Officer Amr Abdallah and Deputy Chief of Party in Iraq Vassia Stoilov talk about IFES' work with women in Iraq.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Post-Election Q&A: Iraq's 2014 Council of Representatives Elections
Iraq's 2014 Council of Representatives elections successfully concluded on April 30, with approximately 21.5 million registered voters taking part.