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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
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
Crisis in Syria: Now is the Time to Seek Male Allies for Leadership Equality
With support from USAID's Global Women’s Leadership Program, IFES is developing a systematic approach for engaging men to support women in leadership and decision-making roles in political and electoral processes in Syria.
December 09, 2015
Publication
Report/Paper
Macedonia Final Report, May 2000-March 2002
This report summarizes IFES programming in Macedonia under the Europe and Eurasia Cooperative Agreement beginning with the 2000 pre-election technical assessment and concluding with initial 2002 parliamentary election preparations. Since April 2002, all IFES programming in Macedonia has been conducted under the CEPPS 2 funding mechanism and is covered in separate reports to USAID.
May 31, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Pre-Election Technical Assessment of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
This report summarizes IFES efforts to analyze the Macedonian election system in regards to new Election Laws, political party organizations. Additionally, the report assesses the various needs and priorities addressed by the international donor community with regard to democratization assistance efforts.
June 30, 1994
Publication
Report/Paper
General Voters List Database Integrity Analysis, Final Report
This report discusses the approach and methodology used in Macedonia’s General Voter’s List. Detailed analysis graphs and charts of various database integrity test results can be found in the General Voters Lists (included in the report).
February 28, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
General Voters List Database Integrity Analysis, Final Report, Supporting Documentation
This document contains the supporting documents to the General Voters List Database Integrity Analysis and discusses the approach and methodology used in Macedonia’s General Voter’s List. Detailed analysis graphs and charts of various database integrity test results can be found in the General Voters Lists (included in the report).
February 28, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
General Voters List Database Integrity Analysis, Log Documentation
This document contains the supporting documents to the General Voters List Database Integrity Analysis and discusses the approach and methodology used in Macedonia’s General Voter’s List. Detailed analysis graphs and charts of various database integrity test results can be found in the General Voters Lists (included in the report).
February 28, 2001
Publication
Report/Paper
Guide to Creating an Electoral System: Goals, Essential Characteristics, Positive and Negative Sides
December 31, 2000