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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
Publication
Report/Paper
Serbia, FRY Final Report: October 1999-September 30, 2002
IFES conducted election-related activities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 2000-2002. This report summarizes the various activities IFES undertook to pave the way for more intense involvement in a reformed and more democratic election system in Serbia. The report discusses a range of IFES activities including pre-election assessments, observation training and redistricting.
November 30, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Bosnia and Herzegovina Voter Education and Civic Organizing Project, FINAL REPORT, Concerning USAID Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC)
This report summarizes IFES efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina to spread and enhance voter education and civic organizing. The report details ho IFES urges citizens to realize the information and tools to engage in the political process; help them understand that they have a right and an obligation to demand government accountability; assist them to develop the skills and confidence to approach authorities; and counsel them through the process of seeing their needs met.” The report also details IFES Citizens' Guides for a number of municipalities, with the goal of completing one in each municipality where IFES has a presence. These guides explain local government structure and the responsibilities of each agency and official and provide the municipal budget and phone numbers to contact officials.
May 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.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
DemoMemoria
“Demo Memory” is an informative leaflet, available in Spanish, believed to be issued in 2002 by the Electoral Institute of the Federal District of Mexico and intended to explain to the Mexican youth the implications of democracy-related concepts. Additionally, the leaflet contains a glossary and an adaptation of the “MEMORAMA” game.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Contienda Electoral : El Financiamiento como reto para la Democracia
“Electoral Contests: Funding as a Challenge for Democracy” is an informative bulletin, available in both Spanish and English, published in 2002 by the “Elecciones Mexico” newsletter in Mexico. The bulletin includes articles on the financing of the political parties, funding as a challenge for democracy, transparent funding of political campaigns, the legitimacy of the Canadian federal electoral financing and articles on money and politics in Latin America and Great Britain .