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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
Money and Politics in Indonesia - Vol. 4
Published in May 2003, this report examines opportunities for improving regulation and disclosure of political party and candidate funding in the election campaign through the development of comprehensive implementing regulations by Indonesia's General Election Commission (KPU) and through the monitoring of news media and civil society.
April 30, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Election to the Oliy Majlis, Republic of Uzbekistan: A Technical Review of Law and Process
The purpose of this analysis is to provide a brief overview of the Law on the Election to the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and to provide commentary on some of its strengths and weaknesses. The focus is on the law itself through the view of fresh eyes, and to offer food for thought as officials, administrators and .election participants continue to evaluate the election process from within.
December 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA): Observation Mission Report, Indonesian General Elections June 1999
June 7, 1999, marked a turning point in the history of democracy in the Republic of Indonesia. After nearly 40 years of dictatorial rule and sham elections, over 100 million Indonesian voters were given a true electoral choice, a choice that will chart their country's future. This report summarizes the Association of Asian Election Authorities’ election observation mission, facilitated by IFES for the Indonesian general parliamentary elections. It describes the mission’s activities, and its evaluation of the elections.
May 31, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Survey of the Indonesian Electorate
IFES Survey conducted Dec.-Feb. in Indonesia by Insight (PT. Insightindo Arya Dhanna); Analysis by Steven Wagner; Sample of 1507 nationally representative adults (18+); Margin of sampling error is ±2.5%
February 28, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Implementation of the Proportional Representation System in Awarding National DPR Seats Based on Results of the June 1999 Elections
This publication is written in English and Bahasa Indonesian. The law governing Indonesia’s elections on June 7 provided that seats for legislative assemblies at the national, provincial and district levels were allocated to political parties according to proportional representation. Each of Indonesia’s 27 provinces served as an electoral area for distribution of the 462 elected seats in the national DPR (38 DPR seats were assigned by law to the military). Each province was apportioned a number of DPR seats reflecting its population and number of component districts (kabupaten / kotamadya). Under proportional representation, each party winning sufficient votes in a province wins a share of DPR seats roughly proportionate to that party’s share of the vote in that province.
September 08, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Kingdom of Nepal: Transmission of Results for Parliamentary General Elections May 1999
This report discusses the election results of the 1999 general elections in the Kingdom of Nepal. IFES assisted the Election Commission of Nepal in establishing a trustworthy centralized vote tally and results transmission system.
May 31, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation of Election Management Structure
This report analyzes the Election Management Structure in Indonesia. The report notes that pollworker training, ballot mistakes and lack of information sharing led to a mismanaged election. The report offers several suggestions for future elections in Indonesia.
January 31, 2000
Publication
Report/Paper
Experience Gained from June 1999 Elections: Resolving Complaints and Disputes in the Election Process
On September 15, 1999, a conference was held at the University of Indonesia to review experience gained in the area of complaint adjudication and dispute resolution during the June elections for legislative assemblies in Indonesia.
September 14, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Experience Gained from June 1999 Elections: Resolving Complaints and Disputes in the Election Process
On September 15, 1999, a conference was held at the University of Indonesia to review experience gained in the area of complaint adjudication and dispute resolution during the June elections for legislative assemblies in Indonesia.
August 31, 1999