Untitled Document

CHAPTER IX. FINANCING THE ELECTIONS

Article 58. Financing Preparation and Conduct of Elections

Preparation and conduct of the elections, and the activities of election commissions during their term of office, are financed from the state budget. Expenses mentioned above are considered by the state budget in accordance with the budget division of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Funding allocated for the elections is transferred to the bank account of the Central Election Commission within ten days after the Election Day is officially announced.

If the budget has not allocated required amount of money for preparation and conduct of elections or money was not transferred in time or completely, the Central Election Commission has the right to declare tender to loan. In such cases, the total amount of money required for the preparation and conduct of elections cannot be more than the total amount of money required for previous elections up to the Election Day is officially announced. The relevant executive authority must undertake to return the loan (including interest) within at latest ten days after the Central Election Commission makes a request. The state budget returns loans mentioned above and pays interests. Amount of covering such loans is approved annually according to the law on state budget.

The Central Election Commission transfers funds required for preparation and conduct of elections to the Territorial Election Commissions at least 90 days prior to Election Day, and the TECs distribute them among the Precinct Election Commissions 10 days prior to Election Day. In case of additional elections, or if funds have not been transferred in time and completely, the election commission distributes and transfers funds on their receipt.

Chairpersons of election commissions give instructions on how to use this allocated money for participation and conduct of election and they are responsible for ensuring that financial records correspond with the decisions of election commissions and for submission of financial records on expenses, according to the rules and period defined by this law.

Unused state funds of the election commissions should be transferred to the account of the Central Election Commission within at latest 60 days after the election day for the purposes defined by this law and should remain in this account. Unused loans are returned to the relevant banks, which allocated them, by the Central Election Commission at least within three months after final results of elections are announced officially.

Article 59. Election Funds of Candidates, Registered Candidates, Political Parties and Blocks of Political Parties

A candidate nominated for a single-mandate election district, political parties, and blocks of political parties, which have nominated a single list of candidates, are to create specific election funds. Candidates are included in the single list of candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties, which have nominated candidates only for a single-mandate election district, do not create specific election funds.

Election funds of candidates, and registered candidates nominated for a single-mandate election district can be organized from:

the personal funds of candidates and registered candidates--the amount of personal funds cannot be more than 2000 times the minimum salary which is in force on the day the election date is determined;

funds of candidates, political parties which have nominated a registered candidate, political parties which are included in the block of political parties--the amount of funds cannot be more than 5000 times the minimum salary which is in force on the day the election date is determined;

equal funds allocated for registered candidates and other candidates registered for single-mandate election district at least 25 days prior to election day, except the cases defined by this law;

voluntary donations from citizens (not more than 100 times the minimum salary) and legal entities (not more than 2000 times the minimum salary).

Maximum limit of the election fund of the registered candidate cannot be more than 30,000 times the minimum salary as defined for the date the election day is announced officially; but for the candidates this maximum limit is 5,000 times the minimum salary.

Election funds of political parties and blocks of political parties can be formed only from the following funding:

For specific funds of political parties and blocks of political parties, the amount of funds cannot be more than 50,000 times the minimum salary which is in force on the day the election date is determined; (such funds of blocks of political parties are formed from the funds of political parties which are included in that block);

funds allocated for political parties and blocks of political parties by the Central Election Commission at least 45 days prior to election day;

voluntary donations from citizens and legal entities; amount of donations cannot be more than 150 times the minimum salary for citizens, for legal entities not more than 5000 times the minimum salary as defined for the date the election day is determined.

Maximum limit of the election fund of the political parties and blocks of political parties cannot be more than 200,000 times the minimum salary as defined for the date the election day is announced officially.

The following are prohibited from rendering voluntary donations and assistance to the funds of candidates, political parties and block of political parties:

foreign countries and foreign legal entities;

foreigners;

persons without citizenship;

citizens who are not 18 years old;

legal entities of the Azerbaijan Republic; if more than 30% of their capital fund belongs to the persons mentioned in paragraphs 6.1., 6.2., 6.3. of this article, for the date the election day is announced;

international organizations and international movements;

state and municipal bodies;

state and municipal organizations and enterprises;

legal entities, if more than 30% of their capital fund belongs to state or municipality, for the date the election day is determined;

military units;

charitable organizations, religious organizations and associations;

persons who transfer donations not reporting one of the following pieces of information or if all information is not accurate:

for citizens:

name, surname, father’s name;

batch and serial number of his/her identification document, or a document which substitutes it, date of issue;

address;

birth date;

for legal entities:

identification number of taxpayer;

name;

date of registration;

bank accounts;

if state and municipal bodies have their shares in its capital fund, if yes –

the amount;

amount of foreign share.

Registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties have the right to give instructions on how to use the funds created by themselves. Election funds should be spent for election purposes. They can be used only for the following purposes:

to finance organizational-technical actions regarding collecting signatures in support of candidates, single lists of candidates, to pay for signature collectors;

expenses regarding election campaign, information and consultation services;

expenses regarding election campaign works performed by legal and physical entities.

Candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties use money transferred to their election funds account in accordance with the rules defined by this law, up to Election Day. Candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties are prohibited from using other funds (besides the election funds) for the purposes mentioned in paragraph 7 of this article.

These rules, except articles 38.3 and 45.8 of this law, do not concern the funds used by the political parties for their other purposes not related to election campaign.

Article 60. Specific Election Accounts

A candidate, nominated for a single-mandate election district, after he/she submits documents on this to the Territorial Election Commission, or political parties and blocks of political parties, after they submit documents on nominating a single list of candidates to the Central Election Commission, must open specific election account to create election funds within five days.

Political parties and blocks of political parties must open a specific election account to create election funds after they receive copy of single list of candidates approved by the Central Election Commission, not later than five days prior to the day they submit single list of candidates to the Central Election Commission for registration.

A specific election funds account should be opened by the relevant bank. A candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties can open only one specific account. The relevant bank should open specific accounts for candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties after they submit all required documents considered and defined by this law. Bank operations and services for opening bank account are free. No interest is paid to the bank for use of funds available in a specific bank account. All funds are transferred in manat to specific election account.

Specific bank accounts are opened on the basis of the following documents:

a candidate’s document provided by the Territorial Election Commission on being nominated for a single-mandate election district;

approved copy of lists of registered candidates provided by the Central Election Commission to political parties and blocks of political parties;

documents mentioned in articles 34 and 35 of this law.

A candidate can request another person to open a specific bank account for him/her, according to defined rules. A candidate, a registered candidate can authorize other persons to use their funds available in their accounts, informing the Central Election Commission about it in advance in writing. Political parties and blocks of political parties open the specific bank accounts after the Central Election Commission approves a copy of single list of candidates, on the basis of documents submitted for registration of their authorised representatives on financial issues. Candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties are accountable for violation of rules on finance defined by this law during conduct of election campaign.

If the election district of the candidate or registered candidate changes, the balance in the specific bank account should be returned by distributing it proportionally among the persons or legal entities, which transferred voluntary donations. After all these, the candidate or registered candidate must submit a final financial report to the Territorial Election Commission, and a copy of it to the Territorial Election Commission. Opening a specific bank account in a new election district is implemented in accordance with the rules defined by this law.

All financial operations of registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties with a registered single list of candidates must be stopped on Election Day.

Bank operations from the specific bank accounts of a candidate, registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties must be stopped by the relevant bank in accordance with instructions of the Central Election Commission if:

documents, defined by this law, required for registration are not submitted to the relevant election commission;

registration is refused;

candidate takes back his/her application of consent;

candidate withdraws his/her candidacy;

political parties and blocks of political parties withdraw their single lists of candidates;

a decision is made on canceling registration.

Article 61. Basis for Prolonging Period for Financial Operations

The Central Election Commission can prolong the period for financial operations in the following cases based on a request of a candidate, registered candidate, a political party and blocks of political party :

for covering expenses of candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties, spent for implementation of their activities before they got refusal of registration; if a candidate withdraws his/her application on his/her consent to be a candidate; or if a political party and blocks of political party withdraws his/her candidacy; if a political party and blocks of political party withdraws single list of candidates; for covering expenses of work performed before signature sheets and other documents for registration are submitted within the period defined by this law;

for covering expenses spent for implementation of activities before a decision on cancellation of registration or cancellation of single list of candidates of the following persons is made:

registered candidate who has withdrawn his/her candidacy;

political parties and blocks of political parties which have withdrawn registered single list of candidates;

registered candidate whose registration has been canceled;

political parties, block of political parties, registration of single lists of candidates of which has been canceled.

other cases, which require covering the expenses spent for the actions up to the Election Day by registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties.

Article 62. Voluntary Donations to Election Funds of Candidates, Registered Candidates, Political Parties and Blocks of Political Parties

Voluntary donations to the election funds of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties are transferred by the post-offices and banks. These donations are accepted only from the citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic and they should contain the following information about them:

name, surname, father’s name;

birth date;

address;

batch and serial number of identification document or a document which substitutes it.

Voluntary donations of legal entities are received by bank transfer to the candidate’s registered candidate’s, political parties’ and blocks of political parties’ accounts recording the following information:

whether legal entities have state, municipal or foreign share in their capital

its name;

date of registration, tax identification number;

bank information.

Voluntary donations of physical and legal entities are transferred to the election accounts through post offices and banks not later than next banking day after they receive the relevant payment order. Period for bank transfer is not more than two days.

Candidates, registered candidates, political parties, and blocks of political parties have the right to return any donations, except anonymous ones. If donations are transferred to the accounts of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties by citizens or legal entities, who do not have right to do that or if amount of donation is more than the amount required by article 59 of this law, the candidate, registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties should return the whole amount or a part of it which exceeds the required amount to the donators within 10 days after receipt of it, indicating reasons for back transfer and keeping expenses for transfer. Candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties are not responsible for not accepting the donations due to inaccurate information mentioned in paragraphs 1-2 of this article only when they did not receive the information about inaccurate documents in time.

Anonymous donations should be transferred to the state budget by the candidate, registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties within 10 days after receipt of such donations.

Physical and legal entities can assist the nomination or election of candidates, registered candidates, single list of candidates, only by transferring donations to the relevant election funds. If candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties and their authorised representatives on finance do not agree officially, it is prohibited:

to render paid services regarding the elections;

to sell goods;

to render services and to cover expenses for that from the election funds.

Legal entities, their branches, representations and other organizations are prohibited from rendering assistance free or at a baseless discount regarding the elections. A citizen can render free, voluntary assistance to the candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties him/herself, not inviting a third person during the election campaigning.

Article 63. Reports on Election Funds

Registration of opening and spending specific bank accounts, rules for reporting, as well as rules for collection and expenditure of election funds of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties are defined by the Central Election Commission with an agreement of National Bank at least 110 days prior to election day. The candidate, registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties are to register the collection and expenditure of their election funds. Candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties submit their financial reports to the election commissions as follows:

first initial financial report is submitted to the relevant election commission in accordance with the rules defined by this law, together with the required documents for registration; this report contains information for two days prior to filing.

second initial financial report is submitted at earliest twenty days and at least ten days prior to Election Day; this report contains information for seven days prior to filing.

final financial report is submitted at latest 30 days after final results of elections are officially published; final financial report is attached to the initial financial documents on the collection and expenditure of election funds.

If a candidate or registered candidate loses their status that candidate or registered candidates are responsible for financial reporting. Authorised representatives on financial affairs of political parties and blocks of political parties are responsible for financial reports, if they don’t have such authorised representatives, financial report can be presented by a person who participates in election campaign in political parties or blocks of political parties, and who have been authorised to represent his/her political party.

Copies of financial reports of registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties which have a registered list of candidates are published by the relevant election commissions within five days after their receipt.

The relevant bank informs the Central Election Commission about the funds entered and spent from the specific funds of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties not less than once a week; less than 10 days prior to election day – not less than once in three days. State automated information systems can be used for these purposes. Relevant Territorial Election Commissions and the Central Election Commission submit the information on collecting and expenditure of election funds to the mass media, regularly, not less than once two weeks up to the election day. The relevant election commission informs registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties with a registered single list of candidates, about their collection and expenditure of election funds, provided by the relevant bank, on their official request.

The periodicals considered by article 52.2-3 of this law are to publish information on the receipt and expenditure of funds transferred by relevant election commissions. The following information is to be published:

about financial report on use of election funds if the amount is more than 2,000 times the minimum salary in force on the day the election day is determined, for the political parties and blocks of political parties; and if the amount is more than 500 times the minimum salary for the candidates, registered candidates.

about legal entities which have transferred donation to the election accounts in amount of 1000 times the minimum salary as defined for the date the Election Day is determined, for political parties and blocks of political parties, and 250 times the minimum salary for the candidates and registered candidates.

about physical entities who have transferred donation in amount of 50 times the minimum salary as defined for the date the election day is determined;

donations transferred back; reasons of return;

total amount of funds received and total amount of expenditure.

Relevant executive authorities submit the following information on legal entities to the relevant election commissions within five days after the list of legal entities which have contributed donations to the candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties is received from the relevant election commissions:

founders of legal entity;

whether legal entity has state, municipal or foreign share;

name of legal entity;

date of registration.

This information is submitted in accordance with format defined by the Central Election Commission. State automated information system can be used for these purposes. The relevant election commission provides the candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties with information received by the election commission immediately, in accordance with their request. If the election commission receives information about contribution that violates the requirements of article 59.6 of this law, the relevant candidate, registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties are informed about this immediately.

Article 64. Return of Funds of Candidates, Registered Candidates, Political Parties, Block of Political Parties

A candidate not registered by the relevant election commission, political parties and blocks of political parties with no registered single lists of candidates are to return unexpended money remaining in the election fund to the physical and legal entities which have contributed these donations (excluding transfer expenses). This amount of money should be distributed among legal and physical entities proportionally.

The following persons are to return unexpended part of election funds transferred by the relevant election commission within 30 days after the election day:

a candidate who participated in the election for in a single-mandate election district and collected at least 3% of total votes of voters voted (for that district) or who is elected;

a registered candidate who withdrew his/her candidacy due to compelling reasons;

a political party and blocks of political parties which have participated in single multi-mandate election district and collected 1% of total votes of electors;

political parties and block of political parties with a registered single lists of candidates or which participate in distribution of deputy mandates;

political parties and block of political parties which have withdrawn their single lists of candidates due to compelling reasons.

The relevant bank should transfer this amount mentioned in the letter of the election commission to its account when this period finishes.

After a registered candidate, political party and blocks of political parties mentioned in paragraph 2 of this article returns the funds to the relevant election commission, he/she transfers back unexpended funding of his/her election funds to the physical and legal entities following the rules defined by paragraph 1 of this article. It should be performed with an agreement of the relevant election commission before the final financial report is submitted.

A registered candidate, political parties and blocks of political parties not considered by paragraph 2 of this article must return all funds and transport expenses allocated by the relevant election commission within 30 days after the Election Day. After this period finishes the relevant bank transfers amount mentioned in the election commission’s letter to its account without any dispute.

Political parties, block of political parties not considered by paragraph 2 of this article must pay completely all funds to cover expenditure for free airtime and space provided to political parties and block of political parties by TV, radio companies and periodicals considered by article 52.2-3. This amount should be paid from the election funds of political parties and blocks of political parties prior to the date the final financial report is submitted.

After the date the final results of elections are published officially, the relevant election commission informs the registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties, which are not considered by paragraph 2 of this article about the sum of funds to be returned. These are funds transferred to the election funds by the relevant election commission and budget allocated for transport expenses.

Within three days after the date the final results of elections are published officially, the Central Election Commission sends the following documents to the TV, radio companies and periodicals considered by article 52.2 and 52.3 of this law:

list of political parties, block of political parties as well as political parties which are included in block of political parties mentioned in paragraph 5 of this article;

their addresses;

verified copies of joint decisions of block of political parties on covering expenses for free airtime and space in periodicals.

Within 10 days after the date the final results of elections are published officially TV, radio companies and periodicals considered by article 52.2 and 52.3 of this law inform the political parties and blocks of political parties considered by paragraph 5 of this article as well as political parties which are included in blocks of political parties about the following:

cost of used free airtime;

size and cost of space allocated by the periodicals;

their own legal address;

bank information.

Cost of free airtime and space considered by articles 53.5 and 53.6 and 54.4 and 54.5 of this law is determined by multiplying total volume of free airtime and space provided to political parties and block of political parties by TV, radio companies and periodicals in accordance with article 53.12 and 54.9 of this law by cost of allocated airtime and space and cost of space allocated for publishing information. When political parties and blocks of political parties which have a registered single list of candidates, use free airtime to conduct joint election campaign actions considered by article 53.6 of this law, amount of funds returned by each political parties and blocks of political parties is determined by dividing total volume of airtime proportionally by the total number of participants of each joint TV program. If political parties and blocks of political parties refuse to use free airtime or space in a periodical in accordance with the rules and period defined by article 53.14 and 53.11 of this law, expenditure for free airtime and space in periodical is not paid.

Registered candidates, political parties, block of political parties not considered by paragraph 2 of this law are prohibited from returning unused donations to the physical and legal entities that contributed them and which pay for free airtime and space, until they return funds to the relevant election commissions. In such cases, first the political parties and blocks of political parties should return election commission’s funds. After political parties and blocks of political parties not considered by paragraph 2 of this article return election commission’s funds and pay TV, radio companies and periodicals for free airtime and space, they must return unused donations in their election funds to the physical and legal entities in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article.

Within 60 days after the Election Day, the relevant bank should transfer the balance of the funds in specific bank accounts of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties, according to written instructions of the relevant election commission, to the state budget.

If registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties do not have funds or they are short of funds, return of funds to the relevant election commissions and expenditures for free airtime and space in mass media must be paid from their own budget. If a block of political parties is responsible for return of funds or for payment of free airtime and space in mass media, amount should be distributed proportionally among the political parties which are included in the block of political parties up to election day, with a conditions if no other cases are considered by the joint decision on establishment of a block of political parties submitted to the Central Election Commission.

A registered candidate who is not considered by paragraph 2 of this article and who has not followed requirements of paragraph 4 of this article until he/she submits a final financial report, and if he/she undertakes to submit a final financial report and to return the funds, he/she can return funds to the relevant Territorial Election Commission within 12 months starting from the election day.

If political parties and blocks of political parties which are not considered by paragraph 2 of this article and which have not fulfilled requirements of paragraphs 4 and 5 of this article, before they submit their final financial report, undertake to return funds to the budget and to pay expenditures for free airtime and free space, they can be allowed to pay it within twelve months beginning from the election day.

Funds will be returned by the court if obligations mentioned in paragraphs 13 and 14 of this article are not performed and if period mentioned in the obligations for return of funds is finished. If registered candidates, political parties and block of political parties which are not considered by paragraph 2 of this article and which do not fulfil the requirements of paragraphs 12-13 of the current article do not undertake the obligations mentioned in paragraphs 13-14 of the current article before financial report is submitted, they will return funds by court before period for submission of financial report is finished.

If a candidate or registered candidate loses his/her status, a person who is considered a candidate and registered candidate are responsible for the obligations mentioned by this article. Political parties, which participated in elections as political parties or in blocks of political parties, are responsible for obligations of political parties and blocks of political parties considered by this article, after elections finish.

Within 12 months starting the election day TV, radio companies and periodicals considered by article 52.2 and 52.3 of this law inform the Central Election Commission on political parties which have not completely covered expenditures for free airtime and space considered by paragraph 5 of this article. Within 12 months starting from the Election Day, the Territorial Election Commission informs the Central Election Commission on citizens who are considered by paragraph 4 of this article and who have not performed their obligations.

The Central Election Commission provides the Territorial Election Commission with information on persons who have not performed their obligations and who are considered by paragraph 4 of this article, within five days after TECs are formed and after a decision on determination of main, repeated or additional elections is officially published. Persons, who have not performed their obligations, do not have rights to get funds from the relevant election commissions during the main, repeated or additional elections regardless of what election district they have been nominated for. A political party which participated in the previous elections independently or as a member of a block of political parties considered by paragraphs 4 and 5 of this article and which has debts to the Central Election Commission for the date next election day is determined, does not have the right to get funds from the Central Election Commission and cannot be provided free airtime and space in the mass media. These rules concern block of political parties which are established from the political parties mentioned above.

Article 65. Financing Election Commissions

Funds allocated for preparation and conduct of elections and for organization of election commissions’ activities are used by the election commissions independently for the purposes defined by this law.

The following election activities are financed from the state budget including balance of funds from the previous elections:

establishment of election funds of registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties which have a registered single lists of candidates, in accordance with the rules and number defined by this law;

transport expenditures and compensations paid for candidates registered for a single-mandate election district in accordance with article 46 of this law;

to pay salaries for members of election commissions who have decisive voting rights, employees of election commissions or part-time employees who work on the basis of civil contract;

producing stamps, implementing printing activities, getting technical equipment and its installation;

transport expenditures, as well as transport expenditures in remote districts;

transportation and security of election documents;

development of election systems, voters education and election organizers’ education and implementation of purposed programs in this field;

payment of business trips and other expenses regarding the elections; other expenses regarding powers and functions of election commissions.

Average monthly salary of election commission member with a casting vote who is released from his/her employment during the preparation and conduct of elections should remain with his/her employer at his/her main working place. They are paid additional salary by the relevant election commission in accordance with rules and amount defined by the Central Election Commission.

Rules for transfer of money allocated by the Central Election Commission for other election commissions, report, registration, opening and closing bank accounts are defined by the Central Election Commission together with the National Bank at least ninety days prior to Election Day. The bank does not charge election commissions for opening a bank account and for conducting bank operations. No interest is paid for use of these accounts. Election commissions conduct financial records of expenditure of funds allocated from the state budget.

The Central Election Commission together with the National Bank defines the samples of following documents at least ninety days prior to election day:

financial reports of election commissions on receipt and expenditure of funds allocated for preparation and conduct of elections;

candidates’, registered candidates, political parties’, blocks of political parties’ document on receipt and expenditure of funds of election funds.

The Precinct Election Commission submits its financial report on receipt and expenditure of election funds allocated from the state budget to the Territorial Election Commission within three days after the Election Day.

The Territorial Election Commission submits a financial report on receipt and expenditure of funds allocated from the state budget to the Central Election Commission within 10 days after the Election Day.

The Territorial Election Commission submits information on receipt and expenditure of election funds of candidates and registered candidates to the Central Election Commission within 10 days after final results of elections for single-mandate election district are officially published.

The Central Election Commission provides the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Milli Majlis and the mass media with the following information within three months after official results of elections are published:

use of budget;

use of election funds by candidates, registered candidates,;

expenditure of election funds of political parties and blocks of political parties.

Information mentioned above should be published by the official press of the Central Election Commission starting the date it submitted this information to the President of the Azerbaijan Republic and to the Milli Majlis.

Article 66. Control and Inspection Services of Election Commissions

The Central Election Commission and the Territorial Election Commissions create a control and inspection service to ensure:

the control of expenditure of funding allocated for election purposes;

correct registration and use of election funds;

sources of funding.

Control and Inspection service includes the following:

head of the control and inspection service;

election commission members appointed to that service, experts invited from the government, National Bank and other organizations and institutions.

According to the request of relevant election commissions, bodies mentioned above should send relevant specialists to the Central Election Commission at least for five months and to the Territorial Election Commission at least for 4 months after the publication of decision on determination of Election Day.

When experts invited to the control and inspection service are temporarily released from their employment, their salaries and other payments will be preserved in their permanent working place and they are paid additional salary from the relevant election commission in accordance with the rules and amount defined by the Central Election Commission.

The Central Election Commission approves the statute on the control and inspection service. The relevant election commissions implement activities regarding the organizational, legal, material and technical insurance of the control and inspection service.

The control and inspection service has the following rights to control:

receipt of funding to the election funds of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties;

registration of these funds and purposed expenditure;

purposed expenditure of funds allocated for subordinate election commissions.

For these purposes the control and inspection service:

inspects financial reports of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties and subordinate election commissions;

obtains information on all issues within its powers from the candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties and election commissions;

obtains necessary information on issues concerning this service and finance of elections from the executive authorities, municipalities, organizations and citizens; requests of control and inspection service should be answered within ten days, but five days prior to election day and on election day – immediately;

prepares documents on financial violations occurred during the finance of elections;

raises a matter with the relevant election commission on implementation of measures of accountability for the violations occurred during finance of elections by physical and legal entities, candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocks of political parties;

invites experts for conducting investigations and for preparing expert considerations.