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Scrutinising the Candidates
It is not only the funding of candidates’ campaigns that concerns voters, but the quality of the candidates themselves. Has the candidate been accused of corruption in the past? Is he or she part of the board of a private company which could then pose a conflict of interest if they win the election? Does his or her family have business interests the electorate should be aware of?
A number of civil society organisations are furnishing voters with this type of information, using the internet, flyers and radio spots to publicise their findings. Scroll down for examples of these projects and click on the links for more information.
Argentina
Campaign ‘Iluminemos el cuarto oscuro’ (illuminating the ballot box) was a project developed in the run up to the 2003 presidential elections. Information was collated and widely disseminated on election spending and also on the profiles of candidates, including their assets, work history and affiliations.
Transparencia por Colombia
A website was launched in March 2002 to monitor presidential campaigns. The site, called ‘vote bien’ (vote well), provides latest news, surveys and opinion polls, and invites readers to participate in discussions. The project was carried out in cooperation with local partners, including the main national and local media organisations.
TI Kenya
TI-Kenya’s report ‘Paying the Public or Caring for Constituents’ explores expenditure patterns by parliamentarians. The study takes a look at one aspect of political life that appears particularly conducive to corruption in its various forms - how parliamentarians respond to demands for individual and collective financial assistance.
