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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
Campaign Finance in Foreign Countries: Legal Regulation and Political Practices
This survey gives an overview of the experience of a number of western countries (USA, Great Britain, France, and Spain) in terms of financing regulation related to the participation in elections of candidates and political parties. The main attention was given to the implementation of legislative regulations that are aimed at the limitation of the influence of money on the election process. The essential factors that hinder effective control of the state and the civil society over the money flows used for campaign finance purposes are shown.
February 28, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Local Government Elections in Nigeria: December 5, 1998 - Report of the AAEA/IFES Joint International Observer Mission
The Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) undertook a joint mission to observe the December 5, 1998 local government elections in Nigeria. This final report on the December 5 elections, and of the monitoring of the immediate postelection period presents the observations of the AAEA/IFES missions with the aim to contribute to the preparations for future elections.
December 31, 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
Republic of Moldova: Presidential Elections: November 17 & December 1, 1996
This report summarizes the 1996 Presidential elections in Moldova. Included in the report is a copy of the election law, various diagrams and graphs showing voter turnout/support and the documents used in the elections.
December 31, 1996
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Poll worker Training and the Parliamentary Elections in Yemen
This report summarizes IFES’ pollworker training and parliamentary elections in Yemen from 1997. The report details democracy in Yemen, the political atmosphere in the country and the pre-election environment. Additionally, the report discusses the pollworker training projects and provides recommendations for future trainings and elections.
June 30, 1997
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation Technique Pre-Electorale au Gabon du 8 au 25 Octobre 1998
This report summarizes IFES findings from the December 1998 presidential election in Gabon. The report discusses the national election committee, poll worker training, media and elections and lastly, civic education.
February 28, 1999
Publication
Report/Paper
Use of Administrative Resources for Election Campaign in Georgia - 1st Report
There has been an unprecedented increase in the funding allocated to local government entities in
Georgia’s state budget ahead of the 2010 local elections. The total transfers to local government bodies
in the state budget exceed the previous year’s figure by 34%. At the same time, there has been a
considerable increase in the number of employees in the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office and in the regional
administrative bodies. The resulting growth of salary funds is at odds with President Saakashvili’s
policy of reducing bureaucracy costs. Those who oppose this approach have suggested that state money
is being used to employ the people who are to participate in the ruling party’s election campaign.
March 29, 2010
Publication
Report/Paper
Use of Administrative Resources for Election Campaign in Georgia - 2nd Report
The second interim report on monitoring the use of administrative resources for election
campaign covers the period of time between 15 March and 5 May 2010 and focuses on the four
main types of administrative resources: coercive, financial, material‐technical and human. The
analysis shows that there have, so far, been fewer violations during the campaign for the 30
May local elections than was the case during the 2008 early presidential and parliamentary
ballots. However, the general picture is still far from positive.
May 11, 2010