A Significant Step Forward for Financial Transparency in Afghanistan's 2009 Presidential Election Campaigns

On June 17 the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan announced that all 41 Presidential candidates have submitted reports on their assets and liabilities, in accordance with the IEC Regulation on Political Campaign Finance. The reports will be used by the Commission to support investigations into any complaints of financial mismanagement during the Presidential campaign, which has just commenced. This follows the submission by all Presidential candidates of information relating to their financial agents on June 4.

The complete compliance by the Presidential candidates is an important step forward for the IEC, not least in comparison to the last Presidential election, when only 11% of Presidential candidates submitted such reports. After the elections, the Presidential candidates will also be required to submit reports on their campaign contributions and expenditure. The IEC works closely with other agencies such as the Electoral Complaints Commission to ensure that the Electoral Law, which includes bans on the use of illegal funds and vote buying, is enforced.

IFES has assisted the IEC with legal and practical advice in the development of the reporting procedures, as well as in the development of manuals, forms and strategies for enforcement.

Press release from the IEC on Presidential candidates’ assets:

http://www.iec.org.af/assets/PDF/PressRelease/non_registration_assets_liability17%2006%202009.pdf

Information on income and expenditure reports submitted by Presidential candidates