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Elections on Trial Project: Inaugural Meeting of the Europe and Eurasia Electoral Jurisprudence Working Group
IFES is working to establish peer networks in Europe and Eurasia and Africa, supported by the United States Agency for International Development. Regional knowledge exchange allows judges and election commissioners to discuss best practices and share comparative examples of how other countries deal with specific categories of complaints and disputes.
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
Constitution
The Constitution of Greece - 1995
English translation of the Greek Constitution of 1975, to include the amendments of 1986.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Suriname Emerges
“Suriname Emerges,” was a play written in 1993 that was intended to stimulate a discussion and teach about civic values. The play set in a futuristic, cohesive and democratic Suriname with Creole as the primary language of the performance. However the actions and visual narrative of the actors on stage express the plays message as well, making it accessbile to a wide audience.
Election Material
Constitution
The Constitution of Greece
The Constitution of Greece (1975) to include amendments through 1993.
Election Material
Election and Political Party Law
Procedural Regulations for the Third Round of Voting for the Election of the President of the Republic of Suriname in the United People's Assembly
Procedural Regulations for the Third Round of Voting for the Election of the President of the Republic of Suriname in the United People's Assembly
Election Material
Ballot
Suriname Ressort Council Ballot 1991
Ballot used for the general election held in Suriname on 25 May 1991. This ballot was used in the Kiesdistrikt X (Distrikt Sipalwini). The main candidates in the election were the New Front for Democracy and Development, the National Democratic Party and the Democratic Alternative '91-Pendawa Lima.
Election Material
Ballot
Suriname National Assembly Ballot 1991
Ballot used for the 25 May 1991 general election in Suriname. This ballot was used in the Paramarimbo district, and the main candidates in the election were the New Front for Democracy and Development, National Democratic Party, and the Democratic Alternative '91-Pendawa Lima.