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Regional Director on “Political Campaign Finance: Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in Africa"
As part of its annual report, the Wilson Center Africa Program asked IFES Regional Director for Africa Rushdi Nackerdien to contribute an essay on campaign finance. His piece, “Political Campaign Finance: Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in Africa,” examined the role of election management bodies in fostering accountability and transparency.
January 29, 2019
Publication
Report/Paper
Ethnic Divisions and Electoral System Design: Prospects for Reform in Kenya
In "Ethnic Divisions and Electoral System Design: Prospects for Reform in Kenya", Shane McGee, IFES' 2008 William and Kathy Hybl Democracy Studies Fellow, suggests that a country with deep ethnic cleavages like Kenya would greatly benefit from shifting its electoral system from a plurality to a mixed-member system.
July 09, 2008
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
IFES Election Assessment Report, South Africa Election Institution Report, October 23 1998 (appendices missing)
This report is an account of a pre-election assessment conducted by IFES in South Africa from 1998. The report details IFES’ guidance on South African election preparations and IFES support to the Independent Electoral Commission in identifying services which could be provided by the international community.
October 22, 1998
Publication
Report/Paper
South Africa: Technical Assistance Report
This report summarizes IFES’ technical assistance mission to South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission. The report is particular to the National and Provincial Elections in April 1994 with an aim towards recommendations for future elections.
October 31, 1994