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Political Integrity

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 Implementation of the Law on Whistle-Blower Protection and Raising the Awareness for Whistle-Blowing

    MK0095, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  2. Starred commitment Implementation of the Law "On Protection of Whistleblowers", Capacity Building, Amendments and Its Bylaws

    AL0052, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  3. Starred commitment Register for Ultimate Beneficial Ownership

    NO0053, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  4. Starred commitment Ensure Greater Transparency Around Bids and Contracts

    KE0014, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  5. Starred commitment Public Sector Standards Bill

    IE0047, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    GE0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  7. Starred commitment Protect Against Conflicts of Interest

    FR0026, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  8. Starred commitment State Council

    CO0053, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  9. Starred commitment Law on Whistleblowers Protection

    AL0042, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  10. Starred commitment Asset Disclosure on a Single Web Portal

    UA0044, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  11. Starred commitment Ethics Reform

    IE0011, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  12. Starred commitment Encourage, Protect and Raise Awareness of Whistleblower Duties and Protections

    IE0015, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  13. Starred commitment Political Party Financial Declarations

    GE0025, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  14. Starred commitment Adoption of Amendments to the Law on Prevention of Corruption in the Direction Of:

    MK0063, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  15. Starred commitment Legal Framework Reform Public Probity

    SV0032, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  16. Starred commitment Accountability and Integrity

    LR0005, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  17. 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

  18. Starred commitment Bill Lobby

    CL0015, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    DO0022, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  20. Starred commitment Transparent Party Financing

    GE0008, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  21. Government Corruption Prevention

    AZ0051, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  22. Anonymous Whistleblower Portals for Justice System Employees

    DK0070, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  23. Asset Declaration System

    LK0025, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  24. CEDAW Implementation

    LK0035, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  25. Civil Servant Training Modules

    BA0003, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  26. Open Ministry of Interior Data

    GR0069, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  27. Transparent Political Party Finance

    MN0042, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  28. Citizen Feedback Portal on Draft Laws

    JAL0008, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  29. Platform for Citizen Involvement in Elections

    NR0003, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  30. Register of Government Decision-Making

    FI0032, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  31. Asset Declaration Reform

    BF0017, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  32. Open Data

    LV0041, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  33. Anti-corruption Measures

    LV0045, 2019, Anti-Corruption

  34. Complaint Reception and Processing System

    UY0105, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  35. Whistleblower Protection

    CI0018, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  36. Asset Declaration

    CI0020, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  37. Local Anti-Corruption Measures

    CI0022, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  38. Monitoring Property Status of Elected and Appointed Officials

    MK0124, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  39. Healthy Democracy

    CA0069, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  40. Integrity in Public Management

    HN0065, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  41. Political Finance Transparency

    HR0028, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  42. Open Congressional Data

    HN0067, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  43. Protection of Persons Reporting Corruption

    HR0031, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  44. Improved Anticorruption Policies

    ME0062, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  45. Raising Awareness About Whistle-Blowers

    CZ0025, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  46. Transparent Political Party Finance

    NL0038, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  47. Anti-Corruption Framework

    TN0043, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  48. Fostering National Dialogue to Achieve Political Reform

    JO0061, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  49. Updating of Electoral Roll

    RS0035, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  50. Creation of an Anonymous Complaints Mailbox

    MAD0006, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  51. Transparency in the Funding of Political Parties

    RO0056, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  52. Election Data Openness

    ID0098, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  53. Open Data in Official Declarations

    AM0035, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  54. Election Finance Transparency

    KG0017, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  55. Transparency of Interest Representatives

    FR0049, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  56. Access to Information on Public Officials

    FR0050, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  57. Public Law Ethics and Integrity

    PY0055, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  58. Political Donation Transparency

    AU0017, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  59. Strengthening Transparency in the Electoral Process.

    GT0104, 2018, Anti-Corruption

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

    GT0105, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  61. Registering Assets of Government Officials

    AF0005, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  62. Training for Women of Political Parties

    CR0055, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  63. Capacity Building for Integrity in Government

    LR0032, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  64. Anti-Corruption Transparency

    GH0021, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  65. Enhancing Village Government Accountability

    BOJ0002, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  66. Awareness-Raising About Anti-Social Activities

    SK0119, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  67. e-Participation Through the National Government Portal

    PH0050, 2017, Anti-Corruption

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

    AR0046, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  69. Elaboration of a Bill Funding of Political Parties

    AR0048, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  70. Strengthening the Regime of Financial Disclosure Reports and Interest

    AR0051, 2017, Anti-Corruption

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

    AR0059, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  72. Citizen Election Watch

    PA0027, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  73. Preventing Conflicts of Interest in Public Procurement State

    PA0029, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  74. Technology and Electoral Process

    AR0067, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  75. Developing a New Transparency Portal for Madrid City Council

    MAD0002, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  76. Anti-Corruption Activity Coordination

    NG0009, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  77. Whistleblower Protections

    LV0033, 2017, Anti-Corruption

  78. Transparent Funding of Political Parties

    MN0025, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    MK0096, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  80. Elections

    SL0018, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    MN0033, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    MN0034, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    LK0015, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    AZ0047, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  85. Campaign Finance

    LK0020, 2016, Anti-Corruption

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

    LT0019, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  87. Elections Data

    UK0069, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  88. Supporting and Protecting Whistleblowers

    IT0040, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  89. National Integrity System

    MW0003, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  90. Implementing the Civil Service Act

    CZ0016, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  91. State Employees’ Ownership of Shares

    NO0050, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  92. More Open and Transparent Law-Making

    EE0043, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  93. 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

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

    RO0039, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  95. 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

  96. Improve Transparency in the Management of Seized Assets

    RO0041, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  97. Enhancing Preventive and Punitive Mechanisms in the Fight Against Corruption and Unethical Practices

    KE0011, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  98. "Open Data" in Official Declaration:

    AM0030, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  99. Whiste-Blower Protections

    AU0001, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  100. Development of E-Democracy.

    UA0069, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  101. Electoral System and Political Parties

    AU0011, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  102. National Integrity Framework

    AU0012, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  103. Establish a Register of Beneficial Ownership

    IE0048, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  104. Open Data and Statistics

    UY0086, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  105. Transparency in Public Sector Lobbying by Third Parties

    HU0008, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  106. Transparent Financing of Parties and Candidates

    PA0009, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  107. Law Reform on Property Statements

    PA0014, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  108. Reform the Rules of Conflict of Interest

    PA0015, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  109. Publication Database of Obligated Servants to Declare Property Real

    PA0024, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  110. Strengthening Whistleblower Protection

    US0081, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  111. Supervising Officials Responsible of Public Resources

    LV0022, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  112. Draft Law on Protecting Whistleblowers

    LV0025, 2015, Anti-Corruption

  113. Assessment of the System of the Financing Political Parties

    LV0026, 2015, Anti-Corruption

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

    SV0066, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  115. Strengthen Public Probity

    SV0067, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  116. Ethics in Public Service.

    HN0035, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  117. Right to Access Information Legislative Framework

    HR0010, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  118. Improvement of Transparency of Election and Referendum Campaigns

    HR0015, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  119. Media Transparency

    HR0017, 2014, Anti-Corruption

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

    HR0018, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  121. Improving Transparency of Data on Assets of Officials

    HR0019, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  122. Adoption of the New Act on Civil Service

    CZ0007, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  123. Implementing Legislation for the New Act on Civil Service

    CZ0008, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  124. Strengthening Legal Framework for Corruption Fight

    TN0001, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  125. Internal Control Units Structures

    JO0034, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  126. Update the Civil Service Bylaw

    JO0043, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  127. Call on All Municipalities to Facilitate Advance Voting

    DK0035, 2014, Anti-Corruption

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

    DK0036, 2014, Anti-Corruption

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

    AM0019, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  130. Implementation of the School of Transparency.

    GT0033, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  131. Strengthening Public Service Ethics

    KR0020, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  132. Public Procurement Controls

    BG0038, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  133. Conflicts of Interest

    BG0040, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  134. Electronic Democracy Development Roadmap

    UA0053, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  135. Law on Financing Political Activities

    RS0002, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  136. Asset Declaration Monitoring System

    GE0024, 2014, Anti-Corruption

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

    RS0005, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  138. Whistleblower Protection Trainings and Campaigns

    RS0006, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  139. 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

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

    SL0001, 2014, Anti-Corruption

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

    MN0017, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  142. 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

  143. Whistleblowing

    UK0052, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  144. Code of Conduct Bill

    GH0008, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  145. Support for the Passage of Legislations on Access to Information and Protection of Whistleblowers

    PH0021, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  146. Whistleblowing

    NO0023, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  147. Integrity Control System in the Public Sector

    HU0004, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  148. Reducing Conflicts of Interests – Post-Employment Regulations

    NO0030, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  149. Instruments for Integrity

    NL0004, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  150. Strengthen and Expand Whistleblower Protections for Government Personnel

    US0035, 2013, Anti-Corruption

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

    ZA0009, 2013, Anti-Corruption

  152. Develop Regulatory Sanctions on Code of Ethics

    HN0006, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  153. Disclosure of Income from Extractive Industries

    AZ0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  154. Whistleblowers Protection Act

    SK0021, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  155. Preventing Conflicts of Interest: Raising Public Awareness

    ME0027, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0028, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0029, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0031, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0033, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0034, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    ME0035, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  163. Protection of Persons Reporting Corruption

    ME0037, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  164. Disclosure of Public Officials’ Assets

    TZ0019, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  165. Bill Probity in Public

    CL0008, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  166. Letter of Commitment from Public Officials

    CL0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  167. 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

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

    CL0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  169. Creation of a Database of Declarations of Economic Interests

    EE0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  170. Establishment of the Public Ethics Council

    EE0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    JO0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  172. Accountability/ Consequences Management Framework

    ZA0001, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  173. Improving Procurement Procedures

    AM0003, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  174. Law for Controlling Declarations of Public Servants

    UA0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  175. Public Declarations of Officials’ Assets

    UA0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  176. Promoting Transparency and Objectiveness in Tax Administration

    AM0005, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  177. Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest

    UA0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  178. Ensuring Transparency of Asset Declarations

    AM0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  179. Strengthen Asset Disclosure for Public Servants

    KR0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  180. Monitor Restrictions on Post-Public Employment

    KR0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

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

    MK0032, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  182. e-Declarations

    GE0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  183. Asset Disclosure

    LV0010, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  184. Whistleblower Protection

    LV0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  185. Integrity Pacts

    SV0009, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  186. Political Parties Act

    SV0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  187. Marco Affidavit

    PE0021, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  188. Scheme Conflict of Interest

    PE0022, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  189. An Open Public Sector and Inclusive Government

    NO0001, 2011, Anti-Corruption

  190. Advocate for Legislation on Whistleblower Protection

    US0017, 2011, Anti-Corruption

  191. Explore Executive Authority to Protect Whistleblowers

    US0018, 2011, Anti-Corruption

Resources

  1. Recommendations on Women Against Corruption for OGP Action Plans

    Transparency International shares recommendations for governments serious about tackling the impact of corruption on women and ensuring their participation in…

    2020, Outbound Link, Web Page

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 1970, Document,

  6. Recommendations on Asset and Interest Declaration for OGP Action Plans

    This resource from Transparency International provides guidance for OGP members on developing comprehensive, robust and accessible asset and interest declaration…

    2020, Document, PDF

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