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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
Restoring Democracy in the Political Picture
“Restoring Democracy in the Political Picture” is a pamphlet encouraging Pakistanis to register for the new voter’s list. It was published by the Election Commission of Pakistan on October 10th 2000 and also points out the new minimum voting age has been moved from 21 to 18 in an effort to reach out to Pakistani youth and encourage them to participate in Pakistani elections.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Fair Procedures for Clear Solutions!
Seen in both Urdu and English, “Fair Procedures for Clear Solutions!” is a reminder sent out by the Election Commission of Pakistan on October 2nd, 2000. It provides a brief reminder to those Pakistanis over 18 to ensure that their names are on the voter’s list in order to be able to vote at the next election as well as special registration information.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
New Voters' List Your Participation Your National contribution!
This election registration reminder comes prior to Pakistani local elections taking place in 18 districts and was sent out on September 28th, 2000 by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Entitled, “New Voter’s List, Your Participation, Your National Contribution!” attempts to encourage Pakistanis to participate in these local elections.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Laying the foundation for a just society
Published by the Election Commission of Pakistan on September 15th, 2000, “Laying the Foundation for a just society” is a pamphlet advocating the need to register to vote in Pakistan. Written in both Urdu and English, this brief, illustrated pamphlet provides basic registration and eligibility requirements while encouraging Pakistanis to participate in upcoming elections.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Is Your Name on the new Voter's list?
Available here both in Urdu and English, “Is Your Name on the New Voter’s List” is a reminder sent out by the Election Commission of Pakistan on September 8th, 2000. It provides a brief reminder to those Pakistanis over 18 to ensure that their names are on the voter’s list in order to be able to vote at the next election.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Voter Education: Curriculum Methodologies
“Voter Education: Curriculum Methodologies,” published in 1999, is a booklet that explains the role of the Electoral Commission of Kenya in voter education. The Electoral Commision was focused on revamping the electoral process in Kenya and enhancing civic participation in the increasingly pluralistic Kenyan political process. This was particularly important as Kenya had been under virtual one party rule from 1969 until the early 1990s.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Daraja Update
This November 1997 issue of “Daraja” touches on the struggle to achieve civic elections in Kenya and promoting democracy and good governance in Africa. The lead article focuses on the effort to enhance civic education and elections in the midst of executive governmental power that is not in favor of promoting political participation or expanding democracy. The second major piece describes the pathway to achieving peace in Africa and six major impediments to achieving strong democracy in the region. The challenges presented by the article to developing democracy in Africa are overcoming violence, sound democracy development managment, enhancing the role of civil society, mainstreaming women into politics, increasing the capacity of African institutions that allow for democracy development and developing an ownership of democratic reforms in order to bring about demcoracy that fits the region and culture that it will be governing.
Publication
Report/Paper
Toward Credible and Legitimate Elections in Kenya: Part II, IFES Assessment Report
This assessment discusses the electoral system in Kenya with an eye towards helping the Kenyan Electoral Commission in the 1997 general elections. The report identifies the Commission’s needs, including voter registration.
April 30, 1997