Go back to database front page

Political Finance Database

Change country, region or political entity

Iraq

2016

2018

2019

Bans and limits on private income

Public funding

Regulations of spending

Reporting, oversight and sanctions

Question	Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 37 (II) The Law of Elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. (45) for the year 2013, Article 29
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 37 (II) The Law of Elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. (45) for the year 2013, Article 29
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	Code No
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	Code No data
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	Code No Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 37 The Law of Elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. (45) for the year 2013, Article 29
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?	Code No
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 36
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	Code No data
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 37
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	Code No data
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 37
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?	Code No data
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?	Code Yes Comment Employees of state, public sector, and local authorities may not use their career influence, state resources, means, or apparatus, in the interest of themselves or any candidate. Including its security and military apparatus, with electoral propaganda or influence. Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 25 (V) The Law of Elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. (45) for the year 2018, Article 25 Provincial and District Council Elections Law, Article 29, 2018.
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?	Code No
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?	Code Not applicable
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?	Code No data
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?	Code No data
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?	Code No data
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?	Code No data
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?	Code Yes, donation limit for private persons apply Comment Candidates may contribute to their own campaigns. Money that belongs to the candidate husband or any of the assets or branches is considered as private financing of their campaigns and there is no limit for the amount allowed. However, their own contributions are subject to the electoral expenditure roof. Source Source: Regulation no. 1, 2013. Organizing Expenditure on the Electoral Campaigns
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?	Code No Comment There is no limit for the amount of in-kind donations. However all All illiquid money contributions must not exceed the overall electoral expenditure roof specified. Source Source: Regulation no. 1, 2013. Organizing Expenditure on the Electoral Campaigns
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?	Code No data
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?	Code Yes Comment Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 38
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	Code No data
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	Code No data
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?	Code No data
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 39"First: the party or political organization deposited its funds in Iraqi banks. Second: The party or political organization holds regular records of accounts, including its revenues and expenses."

Question	Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	Code Yes, regularly Source Political parties law No.36 for the year 2015, Article 33
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Share of seats in previous election Registration as a political party Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article -44 - The Department of Parties undertakes to distribute the total amount of financial aid to political parties according to the following percentages: First: (20%) twenty percent equally for registered political parties in accordance with the provisions of this law. Second: (80%) eighty percent of the parties represented in the House of Representatives according to the number of seats won by their candidates in the parliamentary elections.
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Equal Proportional to seats received Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article -44 - The Department of Parties undertakes to distribute the total amount of financial aid to political parties according to the following percentages: First: (20%) twenty percent equally for registered political parties in accordance with the provisions of this law. Second: (80%) eighty percent of the parties represented in the House of Representatives according to the number of seats won by their candidates in the parliamentary elections.
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	Code No data
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code Yes Comment Free air time is provided in public media for political debates and political discussions. Expenses made on electoral advertisements for television and radio are exempt from tax. Source First: The party has the right to use the media to explain its point of view and explain its principles and programs. Second: The state media avoids distinguishing between parties in using its means to convey their views to citizens. Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article -23- Provincial and District Council Elections Law, Article 25, 2018.
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code Equal Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article -23- First: The party has the right to use the media to explain its point of view and explain its principles and programs. Second: The state media avoids distinguishing between parties in using its means to convey their views to citizens.
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	Code Yes Comment According to the Code for Media during Elections, the Iraqi Media Network, as a publicly funded media broadcaster with a legal obligation to educate and inform Iraqis, shall provide free air time for political debates and political discussions allowing each candidate to appear at least once during elections programs. Source Source: The Communication and Media Commission of Iraq, 2019
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	Code Yes
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?	Code No data
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?	Code No data

Question	Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?	Code Yes Source he Law of Elections of the Iraqi Council of Representatives No. (45) for the year 2013, Article 28
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	Code Yes Comment The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) defines expenditure limits for political parties. Source Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019 Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission Law No. 11, 2007
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?	Code 250,000 Iraqi dinars multiplied by the number of candidates on the political entity’s list multiplied by the number of voters in the constituency. Comment The spending limits for a political entity (which may include a coalition of individuals and/or parties) is capped at 250,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $210 USD) multiplied by the number of candidates on the political entity’s list multiplied by the number of voters in the constituency. Source Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	Code Yes Comment The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has defined expenditure limits for political entities and candidates. Source Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?	Code No data Comment The spending limits for a candidate is capped at 250,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $210 USD) multiplied by the number of voters in the constituency. Source Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?	Code No
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	Code Yes, for political parties Yes, for candidates Comment It is prohibited to use public funds or any funding from the federal budget allocated to ministries or entities not affiliated with a ministry to pay electoral advertising. Source Source: IHEC Regulation of Electoral Campaign No. 11, 2018
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	Code No
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?	Code Yes Comment Political entities, coalitions and candidates are prohibited to include the ideas that call for arising national, religious, sectarian, tribal, or regional sectarianism among citizens during their Media campaign, either by using pictures, TV & Radio broadcasts or by using another Media Means. Source Source: IHEC Regulation of Electoral Campaign No. 11, 2018

Question	Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article (39) First: The Party or political organization deposits its funds in Iraqi banks. Second: The party or political organization holds regular records of accounts, including its revenues and expenses. Third: The party or political organization submits an annual report to its accounts prepared by a licensed legal accountant's office and submits its report to the Financial Control Bureau. Fourth: The Office of Financial Supervision shall submit a final report on the financial situation of the parties or political organizations to the House of Representatives, the Ministers, the Department of Parties or political organizations.
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes Comment Political entities and candidates are required to submit preliminary financial reports specifying their campaign income and expenditure no later than seven days after Election Day. Final reports should be submitted to the IHEC within 30 days of the announcement of the results. Source First: The Party or political organization deposits its funds in Iraqi banks. Second: The party or political organization holds regular records of accounts, including its revenues and expenses. Third: The party or political organization submits an annual report to its accounts prepared by a licensed legal accountant's office and submits its report to the Financial Control Bureau. Fourth: The Office of Financial Supervision shall submit a final report on the financial situation of the parties or political organizations to the House of Representatives, the Ministers, the Department of Parties, or political organizations. Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article (39) Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes Comment Candidates are required to submit preliminary financial reports specifying their campaign income and expenditure no later than seven days after Election Day. Final reports should be submitted to the IHEC within 30 days of the announcement of the results. Source Source: The Independent High Electoral Commission, 2019
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?	Code No
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	Code Yes Comment The IHEC shall publish the financial report on its website or any other publication medium in order to be available for everyone. Source Source: Regulation no. 1, 2013. Organizing Expenditure on the Electoral Campaigns
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	Code Yes Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 36
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?	Code No data Comment The final financial reports shall be submitted to the IHEC during 30 days of the announcement of results, provided that these reports must include the following: Details of the illiquid contributions and expenditures entered in the electoral campaign account. Details of the expenditures disbursed from the electoral campaign account. Final banking statement developed for the electoral campaign account (closing the electoral campaign account). All the supporting documents of the contributions and electoral expenses. Source Source: Article 6: Regulation no. 1, 2013. Organizing Expenditure on the Electoral Campaigns
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?	Code Yes Comment The final financial reports shall be submitted to the IHEC during 30 days of the announcement of results, provided that these reports must include the following: Details of the illiquid contributions and expenditures entered in the electoral campaign account. Details of the expenditures disbursed from the electoral campaign account. Final banking statement developed for the electoral campaign account (closing the electoral campaign account). All the supporting documents of the contributions and electoral expenses. Source Source: Article 6: Regulation no. 1, 2013. Organizing Expenditure on the Electoral Campaigns
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	Code Ministry Auditing agency Other Parliamentary unit Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article (39) First: The Party or political organization deposits its funds in Iraqi banks. Second: The party or political organization holds regular records of accounts, including its revenues and expenses. Third: The party or political organization submits an annual report to its accounts prepared by a licensed legal accountant's office and submits its report to the Financial Control Bureau. Fourth: The Office of Financial Supervision shall submit a final report on the financial situation of the parties or political organizations to the House of Representatives, the Ministers, the Department of Parties or political organizations.
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	Code Ministry Auditing agency Parliamentary unit Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article (39) First: The Party or political organization deposits its funds in Iraqi banks. Second: The party or political organization holds regular records of accounts, including its revenues and expenses. Third: The party or political organization submits an annual report to its accounts prepared by a licensed legal accountant's office and submits its report to the Financial Control Bureau. Fourth: The Office of Financial Supervision shall submit a final report on the financial situation of the parties or political organizations to the House of Representatives, the Ministers, the Department of Parties or political organizations.
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?	Code Carry out investigation Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 45
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	Code Suspension of public funding Source Political Parties Law No. (36) for the year 2015, Article 45

Export

Political Finance Database

Iraq

Cookie Notice

Explore