41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?

IX. CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Despite previous recommendations and contrary to international good practice, campaign finance remains insufficiently regulated. The Election Code does not foresee donations, limitations on donations and expenditures, the use of party funds or transparent reporting and auditing mechanisms.

(OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report, Presidential Election, 12 February 2017, Turkmenistan, available at http://www.osce.org/odihr/316586?download=true accessed January 2018).

X. CAMPAIGN FINANCE

While the Election Code provides that all expenses related to the preparation and conduct of elections is covered by the state, there are limited provisions regulating campaign finance. The Election Code stipulates that the auditing group established under the CEC, which is responsible to check the financial reports of election commissions, may request relevant materials from candidates and also apply sanctions to candidates, individuals or legal entities in the event of violations related to the funding of elections. The details of such violations or sanctions are not specified. The Law on Political Parties foresees some general provisions on political party funding. The law establishes that monetary and in-kind donations are permissible up to an amount that does not exceed ten times the average monthly salary; although this limit is not applicable to contributions from legal entities. It outlines a number of prohibited sources of funding, including anonymous,charitable and religious organizations, state and foreign sources. The law also establishes that inkind public financing will be provided through access to state media, state-owned premises, and in organizing events. In general, the Law on Political Parties does not distinguish between regular party activities and those for campaign purposes. The law states that procedures for reimbursement of political party campaign expenses should be established by the electoral legislation, although this has not yet been adopted. There are also no provisions regarding limitations on campaign expenditures.

OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Final Report, Parliamentary Elections, 15 December 2013, Turkmenistan, available at http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/116011?download=true accessed January 2018).