Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
Publication
Report/Paper
Global Trends in The Regulation of Political Finance
This paper deals with the role of money in politics, and in particular with certain efforts by countries around the world to regulate this role. In the current world (and probably since we first started organising ourselves politically), money in politics or political finance as we commonly know it is a central aspect of any political system, whether democratic or undemocratic, "developed" or "developing" and regardless of political culture or tradition.
February 14, 2011
Image
Publication
Report/Paper
International Election Support: Helping or Hindering Democratic Elections?
Based on an analysis of the potential effectiveness of various modalities of electoral support utilized by international donors to promote democracy, this paper seeks to identify whether improvements to those democracy-promoting tools are warranted.
February 14, 2011
Image
Publication
Report/Paper
Understanding, Adjudicating, and Resolving Election Disputes
In an effort to guide stakeholders to effectively resolve election complaints, IFES has identified seven principle international standards in electoral complaints adjudication, outlined in this paper.
February 14, 2011
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
Armenia Final Report
This report describes the details from IFES efforts to strengthen Armenia’s democratic structures from 1997 to 2002. The report discusses the development of election legislation, IFES support for the Central Election Commission and support for the overall electoral process and conduct of elections. The report further details the relationships formed by IFES with local and international NGOs, the development of an election resource center and election materials produced by the IFES team.
November 30, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Technical Assistance to Armenia: July 5, 1995 National Assembly Elections & Constitutional Referendum
July 31, 1995
Publication
Report/Paper
Armenia: Technical Assistance, November 10, 1996 Municipal Elections
This technical assistance report covers both the presidential and municipal elections that occurred in Armenia in the Fall of 1996. The assistance to the Central Electoral Commission included, among other topics, voter education materials, election administration training, programming and materials. Moreover, the report discusses general election day observations and assessments of proposed regulations. The report concludes with recommendations for the parliamentary Committee for State and Legal Issues.
January 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Armenia: 1995 On-Site Technical Assistance
This report summarizes observations made by IFES reporters in Armenia in regarding national assembly elections in July 1995. The report also discusses the simultaneous referendum on a new Armenian Constitution. The report details several amendments to the constitution, including clauses regarding human rights, voting districts and ballots. The report discusses the electoral and voting processes and concludes with recommendations for future elections and democracy assistance.
July 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Armenia National Survey, August 1996, Analysis of Findings
This report summarizes the findings from a nation-wide IFES conducted survey in Armenia in 1996. The questionnaire covered a multitude of subjects including Armenian views towards NGOs, political parties, political institutions and officials and past voting experience. The ultimate goal of the survey was to collect information regarding Armenians views on issues of democracy.
July 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Precinct Election Training for Armenia’s National Assembly Elections
IFES conducted ethical and procedural election administration trainings for 13,811 appointed Armenian Precinct Election Commissioners (PEC) in 1,982 precincts from April 15 through May 3, 2012.
July 03, 2012