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Electoral Rights of Environmentally Displaced Persons
How can key stakeholders plan for climate-related risks to democracy? How can environmentally displaced persons participate safely and equally in political life?
April 01, 2021
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
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Publication
Report/Paper
Translated Publications on Key Political Finance Issues
An Introduction, a briefing paper written by IFES Senior Political Finance Adviser Magnus Ohman, examines some of the key problems with money in politics – such as abuse of state resources, undue influence of wealthy interests in the political system, and corruption.
January 26, 2017
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Publication
Report/Paper
Lessons Learned Processes: Advancing to the Next Elections
Guidelines by and for elections-related practitioners, particularly EMB staff and leadership.
January 23, 2024
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Publication
Report/Paper
Sacred Ballots: Engaging with Religious Actors in the Electoral Cycle
This paper addresses the intersection of two unmistakable international trends: the global “democratic recession” and the role of religion in politics.
June 23, 2023
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Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Annual Report 2022
Explore our impact in the 2022 IFES Annual Report
July 06, 2023
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Publication
Report/Paper
In Their Words: A Practical Guide for Engaging Young People in Civic Education
900 youth in 71 countries informed this publication created by IFES, in partnership with KDI, and with the support of Sida.
May 15, 2023
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Publication
Report/Paper
Learning Series on Disability-Inclusive Election Technology
Learning Series on Disability-Inclusive Election Technology
October 25, 2023
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Publication
Electoral Assessment
Preparing for Transitional Elections – Challenges and Opportunities for Building Democratic Resilience During Conflict and Other Crises
How can the international community support countries in holding meaningful transitional elections without rushing them to do so when conditions are not right?
November 07, 2023