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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
Alegeri pas cu pas
“Elections Step by Step” is a voter guide issued in 2000 by CENTRAS and IFES, available in Romanian, and meant to serve as an informative document about the Romanian electoral system, specifically to provide information regarding the Presidential Election of 2000 in Romania. The guide is mostly intended to be of use for the electoral bodies overseeing the electoral process and to provide basic guidance on the main ways of functioning during the entire electoral process. The guide focuses on the structure and functioning of the Electoral Bureaus, the Electoral Commissions and the accredited observers, giving brief explanations on their tasks and responsibilities. Additionally, it contains samples of required documents prior and during the elections, as well as the text of the Law regarding the election of the Senate and the Chamber of deputies and the Law regarding the election of the President of Romania, with its recent changes to that date.
Publication
Report/Paper
Romania Civic Education Project, 1994-1997
This report summarizes IFES’ civic education project in Romania. The program, designed to help foster Romania's democratization and develop its domestic institutions, sought to achieve these results mainly by strengthening the emerging NGO sector through the development of its abilities.
October 31, 1997
Publication
Report/Paper
Romania: Technical Assistance to the Central Election Bureau
This report summarizes IFES’ technical assistance to the Romanian Election Bureau from conducted in October 1996. The report concentrates on past elections, the roll of NGOs, election observations and recommendations for future elections.
October 31, 1996
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Crezi Ca Votul Tau nu Conteaza
“Do You Think Your Vote does not count?” is a voter brochure developed in 1996, available in both Romanian and English, by the Pro Democracy Association in lead up to the June 2, 1996 Local Elections in Romania and intended to stimulate people to exercise their right to vote. The brochure contains a description of the local offices to be elected by the voters: the Mayor, the Local Council, and the Regional Council. Additionally, it contains information about voting instructions and voter registration as well as it includes a list of the irregularities that could be detected during the voting process and how to deal with them when needed.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Nu votezi= Nu vorbesti
“No Voting=No Speaking” is a voter pamphlet, available in Romanian, issued in 1996 by the Pro Democracy Association in lead up to the 1996 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in Romania. The pamphlet is intended to stimulate people to express their right to vote. The pamphlet depicts a person having his mouth zipped up, thus the title of the pamphlet.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Cetatenii si administratia publica locala
This 1996 Romanian publication focuses on the role of local government officials as well as the role of citizens in the political discourse. The piece came out in the same year as legislative and presidential elections held on November 3, 1996.
Publication
Report/Paper
IFES Pre-election Technical Assessment Project, Romania, September 8-28, 1995
In March, 1992, IFES sent a two-person team to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the election process in Romania and the ability and willingness of the Government to conduct parliamentary elections, which would be deemed to be free, fair and open by established international standards. This report discusses IFES’ findings.
September 30, 1995
Publication
Report/Paper
Romanian Non Governmental Organziations Forum, April 30 - May 3 1995: Development of the Civil Society
The objective of this Report was to assess the non-governmental sector in Romania (circa 1995). The Report summarizes the NGO Forum held in April of 1995.
May 31, 1995