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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
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Esta chegando mais uma alternativa para voce.
“There is a New Alternative Arriving to You” is an advertising brochure, available in Portuguese, issued in 1997 by the TV COM SP in Brazil. The brochure describes the objectives of a new community-oriented television channel and its programming. Additionally, the brochure comes with a registration form.
Election Material
Ballot
Brazil General Election Electionic Ballot 1995
Printout of a sample electronic ballot from the Brazil in the Region of Minas Gerais.
Publication
Report/Paper
Brazil 1994 Election: Technology Assessment Report, February 28, 1995
This Election Technology Assessment from the 1994 elections in Brazil details IFES’ audit of the vote tabulation software used in Brazilian elections. The report focuses on the technological innovations in Brazilian electoral administration, the future direction of its modernization, and the applicability of the concepts and technologies involved to election administration in other countries.
Specifically,
IFES conducted studies on the Brazilian development of a cost-effective indigenous election technology which could be applied to other developing countries.
February 27, 1995
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Eleicao Municipal de Xaxim
“Municipal Election of Xaxim” is a flyer, available in Portuguese, showing a sample of the keyboard used by the microcomputer in the electoral cabin for the February 12, 1995 Municipal Election in Xaxim, Brazil. The flyer was issued in 1995 by the Regional Electoral Tribunal of Santa Catarina, Brazil and intended to familiarize voters with the voting procedure inside the electoral cabin.
Election Material
Ballot
Brazil General Election Ballot 1994
Ballot from the 1994 General Election in Brazil. Voters voted for the President, Governor, and Senator.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Amigo (a)
“Friend” is a flyer-formatted letter, available in Portuguese, issued in 1994 by the Institute of Socio-Economical Studies, Brazil , in lead up to the October 3, 1994 General Election in Brazil. The letter is intended to the general Brazilian public to encourage participation in the October 3, 1994 General Election. The letter makes reference to the handbook “The Power of Your Vote” to be used as a guidance device for understanding the electoral process in Brazil.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Nao Basta Pintar A Cara
“It is not Enough to Paint Your Face” is a flyer-formatted letter, available in Portuguese, issued in 1994 by the Regional Electoral Tribunal of Santa Catarina, in lead up to the 1994 General Elections in Brazil. The letter is intended to the general Brazilian public in order to encourage participation in the 1994 elections.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
O Poder do Seu Voto
“The Power of Your Vote” is an informational handbook, available in Portuguese, issued in 1994 by the Center for Constructing the Popular Image, in lead up to the October 3, 1994 General Election in Brazil. The handbook is intended to familiarize voters with the electoral process in Brazil, from learning about the candidates in order to make the appropriate decision to the actual day of the election when the voting itself is done. The handbook explains to voters how their vote can influence change and guides through the selection process. Additionally, it provides ballot paper examples.