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News & Updates
Press Release
Health Crisis in West Africa Erodes Peace and Democratization Efforts
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This health crisis has resulted in more than 1,350 reported deaths so far in a region that has been moving steadily toward peace and democratization. This outbreak of the Ebola virus has already killed more people than any other Ebola epidemic in history.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Lighting the Way: A Q&A with Sierra Leone’s First Female Electoral Commissioner
Christiana Thorpe, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Sierra Leone, is a trailblazer in election management. As her tenure comes to an end, she speaks to IFES about her legacy and hopes for Sierra Leone.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
UPDATED: Sierra Leone’s Peaceful Election Is Another Step Forward
On Saturday, November 17, Sierra Leone held the country’s third presidential election since the decade-long civil war came to an end in 2002. The November 17 poll was also the first election that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has taken a primary role in organizing and executing. IFES Regional Director for Africa Almami Cyllah and IFES Chief of Party in Sierra Leone Gray Mitchell answer some questions about Election Day and its aftermath.
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections in Sierra Leone: November 17 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections
The November 17 elections in Sierra Leone will be the first since the end of the civil war in 2002 that the National Electoral Commission has taken a primary role in organizing and executing. To help observers better understand the backdrop of these elections, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has put together a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
November 14, 2012
News & Updates
Feature
Democracy at Work
IFES is assisting Sierra Leonean election officials as they register candidates, educate voters and introduce new political finance regulations.
News & Updates
Feature
Sierra Leone Votes in National Elections
Presidential and Parliamentary Elections were held in Sierra Leone on August 11, 2007. National and International Election Observers were present to monitor the vote for free and fair results. Despite bad weather, citizens arrived early, and eagerly voted within the regulated precincts.
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
Discussion Paper: Preparing for Elections in Sierra Leone
This Discussion Paper presents IFES’ summary findings of the 1999 IFES Assessment Mission in Sierra Leone and is meant to inform and stimulate the consultations that must take place in so that elections preparations can begin and a credible and transparent electoral process can be built.
December 19, 1999