Bhutan
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
Yes
|
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
Yes
|
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Ban applies to all donations except for contributions from?registered members.
|
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
|
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
All donations from legal entities banned.
|
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
Yes
|
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
No direct ban, but de facto ban through requirement to submit a list with the names of contributors as well as the amount of?each contribution.
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8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
No direct ban, but de facto ban through requirement to submit a list with the names of contributors as well as the amount of each contribution.
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9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
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10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
Chapter 4, Section 41 (page 19): 'No political party or a candidate shall solicit or resort to any form of fund raising for campaigning in an election toParliament and Local Governments from private individuals or any agency.'Chapter 7, Section 65 (page 26): 'no individual or organization, during anelection period, shall sponsor meals, entertainment, donations or activity of any kind which may benefit or damage the electoral prospects of any party or candidate.' (Source: Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008) P 19, 'The cost of posters and banners was covered by the Public Election Fund, and in addition, each candidate was allocated 130,000 Nu/ [I$ 6270]from the Fund for other campaign expenses. Candidates were not permitted any other source of financing, and both political parties complained that the limits on spending were too low.' (Source: European Union Election Observation Mission (2008). Bhutan, Final Report, National Assembly Elections, 24 March 2008. EU Election Observation Mission, 21 May 2008) |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
|
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Source
Chapter 4, Section 41 (page 19): 'No political party or a candidate shall solicit or resort to any form of fund raising for campaigning in an election toParliament and Local Governments from private individuals or any agency.'Chapter 7, Section 65 (page 26): 'no individual or organization, during anelection period, shall sponsor meals, entertainment, donations or activity of any kind which may benefit or damage the electoral prospects of any party or candidate.' (Source: Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008) P 19, 'The cost of posters and banners was covered by the Public Election Fund, and in addition, each candidate was allocated 130,000 Nu/ [I$ 6270]from the Fund for other campaign expenses. Candidates were not permitted any other source of financing, and both political parties complained that the limits on spending were too low.' (Source: European Union Election Observation Mission (2008). Bhutan, Final Report, National Assembly Elections, 24 March 2008. EU Election Observation Mission, 21 May 2008) |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Elected representatives?may not?support any party or candidate?while on duty; the media is required to be neutral in its reporting.
|
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
Code
Yes, for natural persons
Source
Chapter 7, Section 65 (page 26): 'No political party shall accept financial contributions or in kind contributions, other than those voluntarily offered toit by any of its registered members, of an amount or value exceeding Ngultrum 100,000 [I$ 4,800] - per member per year or as may be fixed by the Election Commission from time to time.' (Source: Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008) |
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
Limit is Ngultrum 500 000 [I$ 24,100] per member and year (or another level fixed by the EMB)
Comment
The limit applies to registered members of a party as only members are allowed to give contributions. Another amount may be set by the Election Commission.
|
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Comment
Individuals, organisations etc are not allowed to make any contributions during election periods. Eligible parties can apply for?funding from the Election Commission however. Source
Chapter 6, Section 54 (page 22): 'The Election Commission shall, disburse funds to a party for the Primary Round which shall be calculated at an amount equal to or less than 130,000 Nu/ [I$ 6270] - per constituency or as may be fixed by the Election Commission from time to time and having regard to the provisions of sections 19 to 23 and the total number of constituencies.'Chapter 7, Section 65 (page 26): 'no individual or organization, during anelection period, shall sponsor meals, entertainment, donations or activity of any kind which may benefit or damage the electoral prospects of any party or candidate' (Source: Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008) |
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
Contributions are not allowed during the election period.
|
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
Yes, for both natural and legal persons
Source
Chapter 6, Section 55 (page 22): 'A candidate in each constituency for the purposes of General Elections and National Council elections shall be eligible to receive an amount equal to or less than 130,000 Nu/ [I$ 6270] - or as may be fixed by the Election Commission from time to time.' (Source: Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008) |
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
Limit is Ngultrum 100,000 [I$ 6,400], or an amount fixed by the Election Commission from time to time.
Comment
Applies to candidates contesting for General Elections and National Council Elections. |
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
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21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
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22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
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23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
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24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
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25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
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26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
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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
Via a Public Election Fund. |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Comment
A party is eligible if it has been registered for contesting the primary round of national elections in all twenty districts. If the party has taken part in previous elections it must have secured at least 10 percent of the valid votes in the previous primary round of national elections.
|
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Equal
|
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Campaign spending
|
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Broadcasting time and space in the print media shall be provided by the Election Commission.
|
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Equal
Comment
Equally provided to all parties contesting Parliamentary elections.
|
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Broadcasting time and space in the print media provided by the Election Commission. Applies to candidates contesting Parliamentary elections, candidates to the Local Governments do not receive funds or other help from the Commission.
|
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Comment
The Election Commission shall sponsor for example public debates, pamphlets and brochures, posters, advertisments and postage. Tax exemption can also be allowed on contributions made by registered members.
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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
Offering or receiving gifts to influence a voters is banned, as is the provision of free transport to voters
|
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
Yes
Comment
In relation to elections.
|
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Expenditure up to an amount not exceeding the fund provided by the Election Commission.
Comment
Applies to election periods.
|
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Limits differ depending on whether the candidate is contesting for General Election, National Council or Local Government.
|
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
In General Elections - up to an amount not exceeding the fund provided by the Election Commission. In National Council elections - maximum 130,000 Nu/ [I$ 6270] (or amount set by EMB from time to time). In Local Government elections - maximum Ngultrum 50,000 [I$ 2,400] (or amount set by EMB from time to time).
Comment
Different limits for national and local?elections.
|
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities? |
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44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
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45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
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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
Yes
|
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
|
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
|
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Yes
|
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
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54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
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55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
Comment
The Public Election Fund Division within the Election Commission, with?the Royal Audit Authority as the external auditor.
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56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
EMB
|
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
Comment
Apart from fines, forfeiture, dissolvement of a party?and?loss of public funding a successful candidate's election may be invalidated.
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