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Spending Limits as a Policy Option
Citizens in many countries are upset because they believe the current financing of politics (which involves corruption and under-the-table deals) is violating the basic democratic values of equal opportunity, transparency and accountability. One way to bring the funding of political parties and candidates into line with these values is to regulate campaign expenditures through spending limits. This is a viable option, but such limits must be designed and implemented with care.
June 29, 2007
Election Material
Civic Education Material
50 Ans au Coeur de la Democratie
“50 Ans au Coeur de la Democratie” is a leaflet from 2007, available in French, which celebrates the fact that the Director General of Elections in Quebec has been at the heart of the electoral system in Quebec and has promoted democracy for 50 years. The document published by the Director General of Elections in Quebec publicizes what it has done to promote democracy, be at the service of voters, and regulate finance in elections taking place in Quebec.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Making Every Vote Count
“Making Every Vote Count” is the final report by the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform which outlines the case for electoral reform in British Columbia, Canada. The document, published in 2004, makes the recommendation for a new voting system, called BC-STV, to be used in electing member of the Legislative Assembly. The report gives its reasons for the recommendation and explains the new voting system.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
I vote for the first time: Educational Workshop for High School Seniors
This Croatian document explains a program encouraging voting that was conducted in select high schools. The program explained the electoral system, the political party system, and the various bodies of government. The document also proposes expanding this program to the rest of the country.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
GONG's Campaign
“GONG’s Campaign,” a feature located in the Croatian Jutarnji newspaper, provides articles outlining the responsibilities of the GONG education in the field of voter education and awareness. In preparation for the 2003 parliamentary elections, this feature contains the legal framework of Croatian elections as well as general information regarding the elections.
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
Civic Education Material
We Observe let the fairness at elections become a habit
This brochure explains the purpose of the Monitoring Center CEMI in Montenegro. It also discusses the role of the organization in the Parlimentary and local elections of 2002. Topics covered include media participation, political party financing, and the role of election monitoring.