Political party financing/ Celibashi: A new law to guarantee transparency should be adopted by December

2025-12-03 12:59:00, Aktualitet CNA

Political party financing/ Celibashi: A new law to guarantee transparency should

The Chief Commissioner of the Central Election Commission, Ilirjan Celibashi, delivered his speech at the conference on political financing and electoral reform, which was organized by International IDEA and the Center for the Rule of Law of the University of Helsinki, in cooperation with the Central Election Commission. Celibashi raised concerns about the low level of financial transparency of political parties in the country.

"In 2024, 84 parties out of 135 registered did not submit an annual financial report to the CEC. In 2023, there were 82 out of 132 parties registered at that time and in 2022, 83 out of 131 political parties did not submit the financial report. In 2024, 38 political parties were inaccessible or uncontactable due to incorrect addresses or lack of other contacts. In 2023, there were 69 parties, over half of the parties, that can be defined as non-functional in administrative terms," ??said Celibashi.

He further stated that a new law with improved rules for the financing of political parties and electoral entities should be adopted within this month.

"We need improved rules regarding the financing of political parties and electoral entities. A law that guarantees us clarity on who finances whom and how much, full auditing and efficiency of the institutions supervising and controlling financing ," said Celibashi.

The Chief Commissioner also proposed that the annual audit be conducted only for parties with real activity and that receive funds from the state budget.

"The CEC proposes that the annual audit be carried out only for parties that have real activity and that benefit from funds from the state budget, which would eliminate the formal audit of non-functional parties and focus resources on parties that really influence the political system. Parties that do not report should not be allowed to participate in the elections. While those that have received public funds and have not presented their activity should face financial sanctions," the head of the CEC said. /CNA