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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.
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
An Overview of Public Opinion in Ghana 1997
This report summarizes the findings of a 1997 survey to ascertain public opinion of the elections, politics and economy in Ghana.
May 31, 1997
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Voter Awareness Guide
The 1996 “Voter Awareness Guide” is written to inform voter educators on procedures they will have to undertake before the upcoming 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December. Instructions include details on the Voter Educator Outreach Programme, timelines and requirements of presentations on the importance of voting and the meaning of political posters. Also included is a question and brief answer section on general facts regarding the December elections.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Voters' Registration News
“Voters’ Registration News” is a special feature published by the Electoral Commission of Ghana in September 1995 in preparation for the 1996 presidential and parliamentary elections. This article explains the new registration process and provides general election and voting information including an illustrated step-by-step process of the new voter registration. This article was funded by Supporting the Electoral Process (STEP) with a grant from USAID and IFES.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
A Guide to the Voter
In preparation for the November 3rd, 1992 Presidential Elections and the December 8th, 1992 Parliamentary elections in Ghana, the Interim National Commission published “A Guide to the Voter.” This guide provided Ghanaian citizens with complete voter registration information, further information on the election process and an overview of election workers. The purpose of this guide is to educate the public and contribute towards a peaceful, free, and fair election.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
A Guide to Political Parties
Published by the Interim National Electoral Commission in 1992, “A Guide to Political Parties” was written to guide organizations seeking political party registration. This guide provides rules, regulations, and registration information as well as other useful information to better inform organizations on their paths to becoming political parties. This guide was made possible by financial contributions from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation of Germany.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
A Guide to the Candidate
“A Guide to the Candidate,” published in 1992 by the Interim National Electoral Commission before the 1992 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ghana serves as a guide to candidates seeking elections in that year. The guide is divided into four parts with the first two discussing qualifications and eligibility for becoming President or a member of parliament while the latter two focus on general information and a summary of election offences respectively.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Ghana experiments with civic education
“Ghana Experiments with Civic Education” is an article by Fred Hayward featured in Africa Report in the May 1971 edition. Hayward discusses the origins of the Center for Civic Education and stresses its importance to Ghana’s commitment to just government. The CCE, Hayward reports, is committed to honest, efficient, democratic government and emphasizes the role of the citizen in the democratic political system. Hayward argues it is imperative that the CCE remain a non-partisan agency and refers to it as an “innovative experiment in civic education.”