Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES is Awarded USAID Grant to Promote Peaceful and Transparent 2010 Elections in Burundi
IFES has been awarded a USAID cooperative agreement for a 19-month $1 million program in Burundi. The project, "Promoting Peaceful and Transparent 2010 Elections in Burundi," seeks to promote peaceful and transparent presidential, legislative and communal elections in 2010. These elections are seen by many in Burundi as a pivotal element in the country’s path to continuous peace.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Launches Project to Empower Women in the Middle East
The Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa (SWMENA), a project to improve the legal, political and social standing of women, is underway. IFES, the Institute of Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and the Canadian Parliamentary Center (CPC), the partners in this endeavor, hope that the project will remove some of the roadblocks to women’s self-empowerment in the region.
News & Updates
Press Release
Now Available: Innovative manual to fight corruption and money-laundering
A cutting-edge manual on how to combat corruption and money-laundering, a summation of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) 18-month series of innovative technical trainings in Burundi, is being released today.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Electoral Board Procedure Manual
The “Electoral Board Procedure Manual” is a 2003 publication of the Republic of Macedonia’s State Election Commission. The document dissects the role of the election board, as well as the procedures, including the physical assistance of voters, that will take place on the pre election and election days. The manual was published in May of 2004, almost a year before the Macedonian presidential elections that were held on April 14 and 24 of 2004.
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