Ecuador
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Ban does not apply to foreign individuals or foreignindividuals residing in the country. The latter are expressly allowed to make contributionsto campaigns.
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2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Candidates cannot receive donations from any source other than the nominating political party
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3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
Ban applies to donations from juridical persons during electoral campaigns, when the sanction also amounts to the triple of what was donated. |
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
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5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
No
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6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
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7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
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8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
No anonymous donations are allowed. Moreover, nocontribution from any legal source can be made directly to individual candidates.
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9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
Art. 219.- "Prohíbese la recepción de aportes, contribuciones, o entrega de cualquier tipo de recurso de origen ilícito. Igualmente prohíbese la aceptación de aportaciones que provengan de personas naturales nacionales que tengan contratos con el Estado, siempre y cuando el contrato haya sido celebrado para la ejecución de una obra pública, la prestación de servicios públicos o la explotación de recursos naturales, mediante concesión, asociación o cualquier otra modalidad contractual. […]" Art. 360.- "Se prohíbe a las organizaciones políticas recibir, directa o indirectamente, aportes económicos de empresas estatales; de concesionarios de obras o servicios públicos propiedad del Estado; de congregaciones religiosas de cualquier denominación; de personas naturales o jurídicas que contraten con el Estado, o de empresas, instituciones o Estados extranjeros. Las personas que no estén sujetas a estas restricciones pueden realizar donaciones a los partidos y movimientos políticos, las que se registrarán de forma obligatoria, podrán ser revisadas por el Consejo Nacional Electoral." (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Candidates cannot receive donations from any source other than the nominating political party. Source
Art. 219.- "[…] Igualmente prohíbese la aceptación de aportaciones que provengan de personas naturales nacionales que tengan contratos con el Estado […]." Art. 360.- "Se prohíbe a las organizaciones políticas recibir, directa o indirectamente, aportes económicos de empresas estatales; de concesionarios de obras o servicios públicos propiedad del Estado; […] de personas naturales o jurídicas que contraten con el Estado […]." (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Source
Art. 219.- "Prohíbese la recepción de aportes, contribuciones, o entrega de cualquier tipo de recurso de origen ilícito. Igualmente prohíbese la aceptación de aportaciones que provengan de personas naturales nacionales que tengan contratos con el Estado, siempre y cuando el contrato haya sido celebrado para la ejecución de una obra pública, la prestación de servicios públicos o la explotación de recursos naturales, mediante concesión, asociación o cualquier otra modalidad contractual. […]" Art. 360.- "Se prohíbe a las organizaciones políticas recibir, directa o indirectamente, aportes económicos de empresas estatales; de concesionarios de obras o servicios públicos propiedad del Estado; de congregaciones religiosas de cualquier denominación; de personas naturales o jurídicas que contraten con el Estado, o de empresas, instituciones o Estados extranjeros. Las personas que no estén sujetas a estas restricciones pueden realizar donaciones a los partidos y movimientos políticos, las que se registrarán de forma obligatoria, podrán ser revisadas por el Consejo Nacional Electoral." (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Candidates cannot receive donations from any source other than the nominating political party. Source
Art. 219.- "[…] Igualmente prohíbese la aceptación de aportaciones que provengan de personas naturales nacionales que tengan contratos con el Estado […]." Art. 360.- "Se prohíbe a las organizaciones políticas recibir, directa o indirectamente, aportes económicos de empresas estatales; de concesionarios de obras o servicios públicos propiedad del Estado; […] de personas naturales o jurídicas que contraten con el Estado […]." (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
During campaign periods, all public advertising of the stateinstitutions at all levels of government is prohibited, except those necessaryfor the implementation of programs or projects under way. |
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 both natural and legal persons
Source
Art. 359.- "[…] No podrán existir contribuciones anónimas y la persona natural o jurídica no podrá contribuir anualmente con un monto superior al valor de 200 canastas básicas familiares, respecto de la fijación realizada por el INEC para el mes de diciembre del año inmediato anterior, o que suponga más del diez por ciento del presupuesto anual de la organización política respectiva. […]" (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
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
200 shopping baskets annually, or an amount equal to 10% of the annual budget of a given political organization
Comment
Limit applies equally to individuals and legalentities.
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16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
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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
5% of the spending limit for every public office contested
Comment
The limit applies to contributions made bynatural persons. Moreover, a candidate can only make a contribution withhis/her own funds for up to 10% of the spending limit established for the positionthat he or she is running for.
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18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
Yes, for natural persons
Comment
Contributions can be targeted to individualcandidates, but should be channelled through the political organization thatnominates him/her. Source
Art. 221.- "La aportación de las personas naturales no podrá exceder del cinco por ciento del monto máximo de gasto electoral autorizado, para cada dignidad. El aporte de los candidatos no podrá exceder del diez por ciento de dicho monto máximo de gastos electorales." Art. 222.- "Los ingresos que las organizaciones políticas y sus frentes sectoriales obtengan por las rentas financieras de sus bienes, así como de sus actividades promocionales, no podrán superar el 50% del monto máximo de gastos electorales autorizado." (Source: (Ley orgánica electoral y de organizaciones políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia (April 2009) (Electoral law))) |
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
Limit is 5% of the spending limit for every public office contested
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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, both regularly and in relation to campaigns
Comment
Direct public funding is regularly provided to political parties and national political movements through the Permanent Party Fund but such direct public funding is restricted from use in electoral campaigns. Instead, public funding for media exposure is allocated during campaign periods.
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29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Comment
To fulfil one of the following requisites: Obtain at least 4% of valid votes in two consecutive national multi-member elections; Get at least 3 representatives elected in the National Assembly; Obtain 8% of the municipalities country wide; Or at least get elected one Council member in 10% of cantons of the country.
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30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Equal Proportional to votes received
Comment
Funding for campaigns is distributed on an equal basis. Ongoing funding: 50% is distributed equally; 35% according to the number of votes each political organization obtained in the multi-member elections. The remaining 15% is used to support a research and analysis institution that operates under the responsibility of the EMB.
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31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Comment
The funding related to the elections can only be used for mediaadvertising (radio, television, press, and billboards). |
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties aregranted free and equal media access throughout the campaign period.The EMB has to use its budget to buy media time/space to grant this right. Political parties and candidates are notallowed to buy time/space in any media, for campaigning purposes. |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Equal
|
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
Yes
|
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political organizations are exempt from payingtaxes for the properties they own.
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36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
Genderequality is required by law to register candidates, but is not a requirementto determine whether the public funding is to be disbursed or not.
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37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
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| Question | Value |
|---|---|
38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Comment
It is prohibited for candidates to provide any type of donation or gift to citizens.
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39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The limits are specific for every office in contest and are referred to disbursements in campaigning activities other than media advertising, since these are free of charge.
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40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
The limit varies from one office to another.
Comment
The limit per every public office is determinedaccording to a set of rules clearly established by the law and is based on aflat rate and takes into consideration the number of voters registered in thecorresponding constituency.
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41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The limit corresponds to the amount of US$0.15 multiplied by the number of citizens recorded in the national registry or in the registry of the corresponding electoral district. For second round elections, the maximum expenditure permitted for each ticket is 40% of that which was determined for the first round.
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42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
The limit varies from one office to another.
Comment
The limit per every public office is determinedaccording to a set of rules clearly established in law that are based on a flatrate and take into consideration the number of voters registered in thecorresponding constituency.
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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 on incomes and expenses.
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48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
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49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
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50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
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51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
Comment
All regular and election related financial information and reports submitted are regarded as public, and shall be published in the web page of the EMB.
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52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The reports must include a list of donors andthe amount given by each one.
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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
EMB
Comment
National Electoral Council
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56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Comment
The EMB is vested with full powers of oversight, while the Electoral Court can request information in relation to electoralcampaigns. |
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
Sanctions referred to breaches of financial regulations may be imposedupon political organizations, candidates, natural and juridical persons,authorities, public officers and media. For all of them, the sanctions might imply not only fines, but also thetemporary suspension of political rights. In the case of elected candidates, they might also be dismissed. |
