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Election FAQ
Elections in Ukraine: October 28 Parliamentary Elections
On October 28, Ukrainians will go to the polls to fill 450 seats in the country’s national legislature, the Verkhovna Rada. These parliamentary elections will be the first since 2002 to be held under a mixed system of single-member districts and party lists’ proportional representation, marking a significant shift in Ukraine’s legislative structure.
News & Updates
Feature
Developing a New BRIDGE Module on Political Finance
On May 18 – 19, 2009, IFES and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance co-hosted a working group of political finance and BRIDGE experts to begin the development process for a new BRIDGE module on political finance. BRIDGE is a comprehensive curriculum on electoral processes. The gathering was held in Stockholm.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Electoral Board Procedure Manual
The “Electoral Board Procedure Manual” is a 2003 publication of the Republic of Macedonia’s State Election Commission. The document dissects the role of the election board, as well as the procedures, including the physical assistance of voters, that will take place on the pre election and election days. The manual was published in May of 2004, almost a year before the Macedonian presidential elections that were held on April 14 and 24 of 2004.
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
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Macedonian Election Laws
Macedonian Election Laws