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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
Publication
Report/Paper
From Power Outages to Paper Trails: Experiences in Incorporating Technology into the Election Process
This white paper is authored by four election technology experts who offer insights and recommendations about the best ways to introduce and manage new election technologies. The implementation of new election technologies--and the issues it raises--are examined in three chapters, with an introduction by IFES: · Maximizing the Potential for Successful Election Technology Projects (Mike Yard and Ronan McDermott) · The Introduction of New Technologies from the Election Administrator’s Perspective (Linda Edgeworth) · Perspectives on Electronic Voting (Dr. Douglas Jones, U. of Iowa)
March 26, 2007
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections on Trial: The Effective Management of Election Disputes and Violations
Mechanisms for election dispute resolution must increasingly withstand new forms of sophisticated political and electoral manipulation. A new IFES research paper, Elections on Trial: The Effective Management of Election Disputes and Violations, outlines the fundamental principles for procedural justice and open justice in election cases.
June 12, 2018
Publication
Report/Paper
AGENDA Produces Regional Research Report on Disability Access and Inclusion
In February 2016, the General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) published Disability Access and Inclusion in the Political Processes of Four Southeast Asian Countries, providing key insights from Southeast Asia written by local disabled persons’ organizations.
March 29, 2016
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
A Snapshot of the 2013 Midterm Elections in the Philippines
The Philippines held midterm elections on May 13, 2013. These polls marked the second time a nationwide automated election system was used. In addition to fine-tuning the technology used during the election, the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) also implemented a continuous voter registration process and a general registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. IFES Chief of Party in the Philippines Beverly Hagerdon Thakur answers some questions on Election Day.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Electoral Complaints Adjudication in the Philippines
Transcript of Podcast with Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson and election lawyer and recount expert John “Jack” Harding Young discussing their experience working in the Philippines with IFES and the American Bar Association on the area of Electoral Complaints Adjudication in the Philippines.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Young Leader Perspective: Sahara Mama
Young persons can be powerful change agents in their communities. Disseminating information on the electoral cycle, volunteering in voter registration drives, observing elections to ensure rights are respected, and forming watchdog organizations are some of the many ways youths around the world are making a difference.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Young Leader Perspective: Sitti Anieza Darong
Young persons can be powerful change agents in their communities. Disseminating information on the electoral cycle, volunteering in voter registration drives, observing elections to ensure rights are respected, and forming watchdog organizations are some of the many ways youths around the world are making a difference.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Young Leader Perspective: Tadzmahar J. Abdukadil
Young persons can be powerful change agents in their communities. Disseminating information on the electoral cycle, volunteering in voter registration drives, observing elections to ensure rights are respected, and forming watchdog organizations are some of the many ways youths around the world are making a difference.
News & Updates
Press Release
Former Chairman of the COMELEC to Receive IFES’ Baxter Award
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is pleased to announce that Christian S. Monsod, former chairman of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC), founder and honorary chairman of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) and pioneer of the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), is the recipient of the 2012 Joe C. Baxter Award.