OSCE/ODIHR final report on Lithuania’s parliamentary elections recommends reviewing legislation, lifting excessive candidacy restrictions, clarifying rules on media conduct
While the legal framework in Lithuania provides a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, gaps and ambiguities in legislation should be addressed in an inclusive manner well in advance of the next elections, says the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 6 October 2016 parliamentary elections in the Baltic state.
The report, published on 31 January 2017, notes that the elections were competitive and pluralistic, but recommends lifting restrictions on candidate rights for people with dual citizenship and reviewing the existing lifetime ban on persons removed from office due to impeachment, as well as adjusting the deadlines for the submission of candidate nomination documents.
According to the report, campaign finance legislation is comprehensive, with recent amendments establishing limits for political party membership fees and providing for annual oversight of public financing to parties. The report recommends that the law be further amended to provide for proportionate, effective and dissuasive campaign finance-related sanctions that apply to all electoral contestants.
Noting the complex institutional set-up of media oversight bodies, which affects the clarity of procedures and timeliness of remedy, the report recommends a review of rules governing media conduct during campaign in order to safeguard the freedom of expression.
Commending an inclusive process of accreditation of election observers, the report still recommends that legislation explicitly provide for access of citizen observers to all stages of the electoral process and clearly define the rights and obligations of all observers, to ensure full compliance with OSCE commitments.
Other recommendations in the report include introducing special measures to facilitate the participation in the electoral process of women, national minorities and persons with disabilities, lifting criminal liability for defamation, and making voter lists available for public scrutiny.