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Elections on Trial Project: Inaugural Meeting of the Europe and Eurasia Electoral Jurisprudence Working Group
IFES is working to establish peer networks in Europe and Eurasia and Africa, supported by the United States Agency for International Development. Regional knowledge exchange allows judges and election commissioners to discuss best practices and share comparative examples of how other countries deal with specific categories of complaints and disputes.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Why Guinea’s Runoff Continues to be Delayed
After decades of dictatorship and military rule, Guinea is on the verge of becoming a true democracy. The last remaining hurdles on its path to legitimate elections are corrections that must be made to the electoral system before the presidential runoff.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Campagne nationale d'education electorale
“Campagne nationale d’education electorale” is a pamphlet from May 2005, available in French, which educates readers about their right and responsibility to vote. The document, published with the help of IFES, prepares citizens for the 2005 Presidential Election in Guinea where they are strongly encouraged to vote. Additionally, the pamphlet provides information about voter registration and what to look for in a candidate.
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
Publication
Report/Paper
Guinea: Technical Assistance to the 2000 Elections, IFES Final Report
This report summarizes IFES on-site technical assistance provided in Guinea. The report details IFES efforts with various political parties, civil society and the international community. The report is specific to Guinea’s June 25, 2000 municipal elections.
October 31, 2000
Publication
Report/Paper
Guinea Pre-Election Technical Assessment, December 7-21 1997
This report summarizes IFES efforts in Guinea towards establishing a legal framework for the 1998 presidential elections.
April 30, 1998
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Que Dieu protege la Guinee
“Que Dieu protege la Guinee” is a September 1993 memo, available in French, which addresses religious citizens of Guinea and summarizes a disastrous situation in which Guineans no longer care for each other, resulting in violence and chaos. The document, published by the Muslim and Christian religious leaders of Guinea, states that the upcoming 1993 Presidential Elections could be a turning point for the country if national unity can be preserved through social justice and freedom.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
La Guinee, une famille a Construire
“La Guinee, une famille a Construire” is an August 1993 essay, available in French, which states that Guinea currently finds itself in a divided state where anarchy is becoming the mode of society – the essay urges citizens of Guinea, instead of spreading violence while waiting for the authorities to react, to take part in politics and make the upcoming 1993 Presidential Elections a turning point for the country. The document, published by the Episcopal Conference of Guinea, expresses the belief that if people follow the route of democracy, that society will settle itself and national unity will be achieved.
Publication
Report/Paper
Political and Economic Transition in Guinea-Bissau: A Preliminary Assessment of the Process to Implement Free Elections
This report analyzes the Government of Guinea-Bissau’s ability to carry out free, fair and open elections. Elements examined by and IFES team include the role of the electoral law in the administration of the elections, a review of the constitution, ballot design and the role and duties of poll workers. The report also covers aspects such as voter identification, civic/voter education, election observers and procurement of election materials.
December 19, 1991