Nicaragua
Bans and limits on private income
Public funding
Regulations of spending
Reporting, oversight and sanctions
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
Fully or partially state-owned institutions are not allowed to contribute, whether domestic or foreign.Donations from foreigners are explicitly allowed funding from foreign institutions must be used for technical assistance or training.
|
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
No
|
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
No bans on corporate donations in law. |
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
No
|
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
No
|
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
No
|
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Ban does not apply to funds raised in public rallies, previously notified to the EMB.
|
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
No data
|
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
No
|
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
No
|
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
No
|
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
No
|
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
It is prohibited the use of official resources and public buildings for political propaganda purposes.
|
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
Code
No
|
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
No
|
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
No
|
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
|
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
|
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
|
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
|
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
|
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
|
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
|
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system? |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties? |
Code
Yes, in relation to campaigns
Comment
Operates as a reimbursement for campaign expenses.
|
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Comment
At least 4 per cent of the valid votes cast in the national elections or at least the minimum number of legislators (4) to constitute a legislative caucus.
|
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Proportional to votes received
Comment
Public funding is allocated in proportion to the share of votes obtained.
|
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
No
Comment
It is conceived as a reimbursement for campaign expenses, but it is not specified how to use it.
|
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Only to state owned media (radio and television) and during? electoral campaigns. |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Equal
Comment
Only to political parties that have registered candidates.
|
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
Only to political parties |
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Donations to parties are tax exempt and parties can import campaign materials without paying customs fees.
|
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
No
|
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
|
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Vote buying is a criminal offence sanctioned with imprisonment for 6 to 12 months.
|
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
No
|
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? |
Code
No
|
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
|
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities? |
|
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
|
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
|
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist? |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Annually
|
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
No
Comment
There is not a provision in this regard in the electoral law, but for the national elections in 2006, the EMB enacted a resolution for the control of campaign funding that required the submission of two preliminary and one final report.
|
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
No
|
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
|
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties are obliged by law to annually publish their financial records.The documentation related to private contributions to political parties is regarded as public.
|
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
No
|
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
|
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
|
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
Comment
The General Comptroller of the Republic, the Ministry of Treasure and the EMB are entitled to receive and review financial reports but only related to the use of the public funding. |
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
No institution specified
|
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
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58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
|
