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Money in Politics

Providing for transparency in the funding of campaigns, political parties, and democratic politics is an essential accountability mechanism for democratic government and is a growing focus area in OGP.

Overview | Recommendations | Partners | Documents | Commitments | Recent Posts

Overview

Money is a necessary and growing component in modern competitive elections. However, it provokes distrust and cynicism among the electorate, and can be a tool for corruption by those with resources.

Ensuring transparency of money in politics has increasingly become an area of interest for OGP members, who are working on ways to empower citizens to oversee and monitor the source of election financing. Early indications show that political finance commitments are highly effective and indicate strong results. Tackling the ill effects of money in politics also helps level the playing field and open access to political processes to women and other groups who may be traditionally excluded. 

This policy brief provides a helpful review.

Recommendations

  • Establish a mandatory public register of meetings between lobbyists and public officials. Madrid has a public online registry where lobbyists must disclose any meetings with members of the City Council. Ireland created a public registry of lobbyists and an advisory group, ultimately increasing citizen access to information and improving accountability in the policy-making process. 
  • Create open, equitable, and responsive channels for public consultation. After Chile’s Law on Lobbying came into force in 2014, the government adopted measures to implement it effectively, including holding public consultations where citizens could offer recommendations on how the law should be carried out.
  • Introduce mandatory codes of conduct for both officials and lobbyists and ensure there are appropriate sanctions in place for non-compliance. According to the International Standards for Lobbying Regulation, as of May 2015, 16 OGP countries have national lobbying regulations.
  • Target political equity measures to promote the participation and representation of women and politically marginalized groups, including campaign finance reforms and minimum standards for participation. In Sri Lanka, the government committed to implementing and maintaining a 25 percent mandatory quota for women within local governments, dramatically increasing women’s representation in local elected office.

Partners

Commitments

  1. Starred commitment Ensure Greater Transparency Around Bids and Contracts

    KE0014, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  2. Starred commitment Public Sector Standards Bill

    IE0047, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  3. Starred commitment Introduction of the Public Officials’ Asset Declarations Monitoring System

    GE0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  4. Starred commitment Protect Against Conflicts of Interest

    FR0026, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  5. Starred commitment State Council

    CO0053, 2015, Money in Politics

  6. Starred commitment Asset Disclosure on a Single Web Portal

    UA0044, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  7. Starred commitment Ethics Reform

    IE0011, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  8. Starred commitment Political Party Financial Declarations

    GE0025, 2014, Money in Politics

  9. Starred commitment Legal Framework Reform Public Probity

    SV0032, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  10. Starred commitment Accountability and Integrity

    LR0005, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  11. Starred commitment Improving Access to Information on Expending Public Resources and Contents of Relevant Registers: Implementation of Acts on Political Activity and Campaign Financing

    HR0006, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  12. Starred commitment Bill Lobby

    CL0015, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  13. Starred commitment Bill Sworn Statement of Assets and Illicit Enrichment

    DO0022, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  14. Starred commitment Transparent Party Financing

    GE0008, 2012, Money in Politics

  15. Government Corruption Prevention

    AZ0051, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  16. Platform for Citizen Involvement in Elections

    NR0003, 2019, Money in Politics

  17. Citizen Feedback Portal on Draft Laws

    JAL0008, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  18. Asset Declaration System

    LK0025, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  19. CEDAW Implementation

    LK0035, 2019, Money in Politics

  20. Civil Servant Training Modules

    BA0003, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  21. Open Ministry of Interior Data

    GR0069, 2019, Money in Politics

  22. Transparent Political Party Finance

    MN0042, 2019, Money in Politics

  23. Register of Government Decision-Making

    FI0032, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  24. Asset Declaration Reform

    BF0017, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  25. Open Data

    LV0041, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  26. Anti-corruption Measures

    LV0045, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  27. Asset Declaration

    CI0020, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  28. Monitoring Property Status of Elected and Appointed Officials

    MK0124, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  29. Healthy Democracy

    CA0069, 2018, Money in Politics

  30. Integrity in Public Management

    HN0065, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  31. Political Finance Transparency

    HR0028, 2018, Money in Politics

  32. Open Congressional Data

    HN0067, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  33. Transparent Political Party Finance

    NL0038, 2018, Money in Politics

  34. Anti-Corruption Framework

    TN0043, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  35. Fostering National Dialogue to Achieve Political Reform

    JO0061, 2018, Money in Politics

  36. Updating of Electoral Roll

    RS0035, 2018, Money in Politics

  37. Transparency in the Funding of Political Parties

    RO0056, 2018, Money in Politics

  38. Election Data Openness

    ID0098, 2018, Money in Politics

  39. Open Data in Official Declarations

    AM0035, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  40. Election Financy Transparency

    KG0017, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  41. Private Sector Transparency

    FR0049, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  42. Access to Information on Public Officials

    FR0050, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  43. Public Law Ethics and Integrity

    PY0055, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  44. Political Donation Transparency

    AU0017, 2018, Money in Politics

  45. Strengthening Transparency in the Electoral Process.

    GT0104, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  46. Strengthening Mechanisms for Publishing Information On Electoral Process to Citizens.

    GT0105, 2018, Money in Politics

  47. Registering Assets of Government Officials

    AF0005, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  48. Training for Women of Political Parties

    CR0055, 2017, Money in Politics

  49. Enhancing Village Government Accountability

    BOJ0002, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  50. Developing a New Transparency Portal for Madrid City Council

    MAD0002, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  51. Anti-Corruption Transparency

    GH0021, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  52. e-Participation Through the National Government Portal

    PH0050, 2017, Money in Politics

  53. Transparency and Participation in Health Policy: Implementation of Mechanisms to Prevent Conflicts of Interest

    AR0046, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  54. Elaboration of a Bill Funding of Political Parties

    AR0048, 2017, Money in Politics

  55. Strengthening the Regime of Financial Disclosure Reports and Interest

    AR0051, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  56. Opening Spaces for Discussion and Training on the Electoral Process in Argentina

    AR0059, 2017, Money in Politics

  57. Citizen Election Watch

    PA0027, 2017, Money in Politics

  58. Preventing Conflicts of Interest in Public Procurement State

    PA0029, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  59. Technology and Electoral Process

    AR0067, 2017, Money in Politics

  60. Transparent Funding of Political Parties

    MN0025, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  61. Open Data on Property Status of Elected and Appointed Persons

    MK0096, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  62. Elections

    SL0018, 2016, Money in Politics

  63. Information Transparency of the Owners of the Entities with Rights to Use Mineral Resources

    MN0033, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  64. Make Licenses, Information and Activities of the Companies Transparent and Effective by Government

    MN0034, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  65. Strengthening Women Participation in the Political Decision Making Process at the Local Level

    LK0015, 2016, Money in Politics

  66. Measures in the Field of Prevention of Corruption and Improvement of Legislation

    AZ0047, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  67. Campaign Finance

    LK0020, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  68. Create Legal, Organizational and Technical Tools to Easily Access Detailed Information About Election and Voting Procedures

    LT0019, 2016, Money in Politics

  69. Elections Data

    UK0069, 2016, Money in Politics

  70. National Integrity System

    MW0003, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  71. State Employees’ Ownership of Shares

    NO0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  72. Register for Ultimate Beneficial Ownership

    NO0053, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  73. More Open and Transparent Law-Making

    EE0043, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  74. Strengthen the Actions of Health Promotion Aimed at the Recognition of Obesity as a Disease, Involving the Public and All Levels of Government Through Mechanisms of Transparency and Accountability to Avoid the Potential Conflict of Interest Throughout the Policy Cycle Public on the Matter.

    MX0070, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  75. Promoting Transparency in the Decision-Making Process By Setting Up a Transparency Register (RUTI)

    RO0039, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  76. Strengthen the Actions of Health Promotion Aimed at the Recognition of Obesity as a Disease, Involving the Public and All Levels of Government Through Mechanisms of Transparency and Accountability to Avoid the Potential Conflict of Interest Throughout the Policy Cycle Public on the Matter.

    MX0072, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  77. Improve Transparency in the Management of Seized Assets

    RO0041, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  78. "Open Data" in Official Declaration:

    AM0030, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  79. Development of E-Democracy.

    UA0069, 2016, Money in Politics

  80. Electoral System and Political Parties

    AU0011, 2016, Money in Politics

  81. Establish a Register of Beneficial Ownership

    IE0048, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  82. Open Data and Statistics

    UY0086, 2016, Money in Politics

  83. Transparency in Public Sector Lobbying by Third Parties

    HU0008, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  84. New Commitments in Average

    AR0025, 2015, Money in Politics

  85. Transparent Financing of Parties and Candidates

    PA0009, 2015, Money in Politics

  86. Law Reform on Property Statements

    PA0014, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  87. Reform the Rules of Conflict of Interest

    PA0015, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  88. Publication Database of Obligated Servants to Declare Property Real

    PA0024, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  89. Supervising Officials Responsible of Public Resources

    LV0022, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  90. Assessment of the System of the Financing Political Parties

    LV0026, 2015, Money in Politics

  91. Strengthen Ethics and Transparency Issues in the Curriculum for Primary and High School

    SV0066, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  92. Strengthen Public Probity

    SV0067, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  93. Ethics in Public Service.

    HN0035, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  94. Improvement of Transparency of Election and Referendum Campaigns

    HR0015, 2014, Money in Politics

  95. Media Transparency

    HR0017, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  96. Improving Transparency of Information on Members of Parliament and Their Work

    HR0018, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  97. Improving Transparency of Data on Assets of Officials

    HR0019, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  98. Strengthening Legal Framework for Corruption Fight

    TN0001, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  99. Internal Control Units Structures

    JO0034, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  100. Update the Civil Service Bylaw

    JO0043, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  101. Call on All Municipalities to Facilitate Advance Voting

    DK0035, 2014, Money in Politics

  102. Letter of Invitation to First-Time Voters Urging Them to Vote

    DK0036, 2014, Money in Politics

  103. Ensuring Transparency of Asset and Income Declarations of the RA High-Ranking Officials

    AM0019, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  104. Implementation of the School of Transparency.

    GT0033, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  105. Strengthening Public Service Ethics

    KR0020, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  106. Public Procurement Controls

    BG0038, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  107. Conflicts of Interest

    BG0040, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  108. Electronic Democracy Development Roadmap

    UA0053, 2014, Money in Politics

  109. Law on Financing Political Activities

    RS0002, 2014, Money in Politics

  110. Asset Declaration Monitoring System

    GE0024, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  111. Extending and Clarifying Responsibilities of the Anti-Corruption Agency

    RS0005, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  112. Defining the Scope of the Elected and Appointed Persons Who Are Obliged to Submit Declarations of Assets and Interests Statement - Preparation of the Register

    MK0071, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  113. Public Integrity Pact with 5 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies

    SL0001, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  114. Introduce a System of Random Disclosure to the Public of Asset and Financial Statements of Any Public Servants.

    MN0017, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  115. Publish the Asset and Financial Statements of Officials Who Work in Organizations with a High Likelihood of Corruption Index on Websites and Ensure Citizen Monitoring.

    MN0018, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  116. Code of Conduct Bill

    GH0008, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  117. Integrity Control System in the Public Sector

    HU0004, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  118. Reducing Conflicts of Interests – Post-Employment Regulations

    NO0030, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  119. Instruments for Integrity

    NL0004, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  120. Develop and Implement an Accountability/Consequences Management Framework for Public Servants

    ZA0009, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  121. Develop Regulatory Sanctions on Code of Ethics

    HN0006, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  122. Disclosure of Income from Extractive Industries

    AZ0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  123. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Raising Public Awareness

    ME0027, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  124. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Training for Public Officers and Public Campaigns

    ME0028, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  125. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Political Independency of the Commission for Prevention of the Conflict of Interest

    ME0029, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  126. Application of Code of Ethics: Establish an Ethical Board, as an Independent Body

    ME0031, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  127. Application of Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics Training for Civil Servants

    ME0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  128. Application of Code of Ethics: Ensure Application of the Code of Ethics Through Operation of Disciplinary Bodies and Periodic Check

    ME0033, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  129. Application of Code of Ethics: Strengthen Tax Administration and Customsadministration Internal Control Mechanisms

    ME0034, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  130. Transparency of Criteria for Employment, Bonuses, and Promotion in the Public Sector

    ME0035, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  131. Disclosure of Public Officials’ Assets

    TZ0019, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  132. Bill Probity in Public

    CL0008, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  133. Letter of Commitment from Public Officials

    CL0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  134. Relevant to the Declaration of Assets and Interests Actions: Relevant to the Declaration of Assets and Interests Shares Increase Number Authorities

    CL0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  135. Actions Relevant to the Declaration of Assets and Interests: New Form

    CL0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  136. Creation of a Database of Declarations of Economic Interests

    EE0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  137. Establishment of the Public Ethics Council

    EE0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  138. Ensuring the Implementation of the Code of Conduct Among Government Employees

    JO0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  139. Accountability/ Consequences Management Framework

    ZA0001, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  140. Improving Procurement Procedures

    AM0003, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  141. Law for Controlling Declarations of Public Servants

    UA0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  142. Public Declarations of Officials’ Assets

    UA0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  143. Promoting Transparency and Objectiveness in Tax Administration

    AM0005, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  144. Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest

    UA0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  145. Ensuring Transparency of Asset Declarations

    AM0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  146. Strengthen Asset Disclosure for Public Servants

    KR0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  147. Monitor Restrictions on Post-Public Employment

    KR0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  148. Integrity System on Local Level.1. Established Methodology. 2. Piloting in 10 Municipalities.

    MK0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  149. e-Declarations

    GE0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  150. Asset Disclosure

    LV0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  151. Integrity Pacts

    SV0009, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  152. Political Parties Act

    SV0014, 2012, Money in Politics

  153. Marco Affidavit

    PE0021, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  154. Scheme Conflict of Interest

    PE0022, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  155. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government

    NO0001, 2011, Anti-Corruption

Resources

  1. Lobby Law in Chile: Democratizing Access to Public Authorities

    Since 2004, succeeding governments in Chile have launched legal initiatives to improve transparency, probity and principles of good government, including…

    2016, Research Product, Web Page

  2. Political Finance Transparency Policy Brief

    Transparency in the funding of  campaigns, political parties and democratic politics is at the heart of the international anti-corruption agenda.

    2019, Resource, Web Page

  3. Recommendations on Lobbying for OGP Action Plans

    This briefing discusses why tackling lobbying is a priority for OGP members, trends and good practice in regulation existing and…

    2018, Outbound Link, Web Page

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