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Political Finance Database

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Colombia

2016

2018

2021

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 Comment Donations meant for technical assistance on activities different from campaigning will be allowed.
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	Code Yes Comment Ban does not apply to donations meant for technical assistance on activities different from campaigning.
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	Code No Comment Ban only applies to donations from juridical persons to the Presidential Campaigns. In any other cases, donations from juridical persons to campaigns shall be formally authorized by the absolute majority of the members of the directive board or assembly.
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	Code No Comment Ban only applies to donations from juridical persons to the Presidential Campaigns. In any other cases, donations from juridical persons to campaigns shall be formally authorized by the absolute majority of the members of the directive board or assembly.
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	Code No Comment Ban only applies to donations from juridical persons to the Presidential Campaigns. In any other cases, donations from juridical persons to campaigns shall be formally authorized by the absolute majority of the members of the directive board or assembly.
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?	Code Yes
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	Code Yes
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	Code Yes Comment Ban applies to contributions from juridical persons whose income comes in more than 50% from government contracts Source ARTÍCULO 27. "FINANCIACIÓN PROHIBIDA. Se prohíben las siguientes fuentes de financiación de los partidos, movimientos políticos y campañas: […] 7. Las que provengan de personas naturales o jurídicas cuyos ingresos en el año anterior se hayan originado en más de un cincuenta por ciento de contratos o subsidios estatales; que administren recursos públicos o parafiscales, o que tengan licencias o permisos para explotar monopolios estatales o juegos de suerte y azar." (Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) )
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	Code Yes Comment Ban applies to contributions from juridical persons whoseincome is more than 50% from government contracts. Source ARTÍCULO 27. "FINANCIACIÓN PROHIBIDA. Se prohíben las siguientes fuentes de financiación de los partidos, movimientos políticos y campañas: […] 7. Las que provengan de personas naturales o jurídicas cuyos ingresos en el año anterior se hayan originado en más de un cincuenta por ciento de contratos o subsidios estatales; que administren recursos públicos o parafiscales, o que tengan licencias o permisos para explotar monopolios estatales o juegos de suerte y azar."(Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) )
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?	Code Yes Comment Ban applies to contributions from juridical persons whose income comes in more than 50% from government contracts Source ARTÍCULO 27. "FINANCIACIÓN PROHIBIDA. Se prohíben las siguientes fuentes de financiación de los partidos, movimientos políticos y campañas: […] 7. Las que provengan de personas naturales o jurídicas cuyos ingresos en el año anterior se hayan originado en más de un cincuenta por ciento de contratos o subsidios estatales; que administren recursos públicos o parafiscales, o que tengan licencias o permisos para explotar monopolios estatales o juegos de suerte y azar." (Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) )
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?	Code Yes Comment Ban applies to contributions from juridical persons whoseincome is more than 50% from government contracts. Source ARTÍCULO 27. "FINANCIACIÓN PROHIBIDA. Se prohíben las siguientes fuentes de financiación de los partidos, movimientos políticos y campañas: […] 7. Las que provengan de personas naturales o jurídicas cuyos ingresos en el año anterior se hayan originado en más de un cincuenta por ciento de contratos o subsidios estatales; que administren recursos públicos o parafiscales, o que tengan licencias o permisos para explotar monopolios estatales o juegos de suerte y azar."(Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) )
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?	Code No Comment Limits only relate to campaign periods.
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 Yes, for both natural and legal persons Comment The total amount that can be contributed must not surpass the total amount of expenses approved for all the candidacies that were registered, and no contribution made by an individual can exceed 10% of that expenses limit. Source ARTÍCULO 23. "LÍMITES A LA FINANCIACIÓN PRIVADA. Ningún partido, movimiento, grupo significativo de ciudadanos, candidato o campaña, podrá obtener créditos ni recaudar recursos originados en fuentes de financiación privada, por más del valor total de gastos que se pueden realizar en la respectiva campaña. Tampoco podrá recaudar contribuciones y donaciones individuales superiores al 10% de dicho valor total. La financiación originada en recursos propios, del cónyuge, compañero permanente o parientes en el grado que autoriza la ley, no estará sometida a los límites individuales a que se refiere esta disposición pero en ningún caso la sumatoria de tales aportes o créditos podrá ser superior al monto total de gastos de la campaña. El valor de los créditos de cualquier origen tampoco estará sometido a límites individuales. Con posterioridad a las campañas y previa autorización del Consejo Nacional Electoral, las obligaciones pendientes de pago se podrán cancelar con la condonación parcial de créditos o con recursos originados en fuentes de financiación privada y dentro de los límites individuales señalados en esta disposición, pero tales condonaciones, aportes o contribuciones no tendrán el carácter de donaciones ni los beneficios tributarios reconocidos en la ley para este tipo de donaciones." (Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) ) Art. 109. "[…] Las campañas electorales que adelanten los candidatos avalados por partidos y movimientos con Personería Jurídica o por grupos significativos de ciudadanos, serán financiadas parcialmente con recursos estatales. La ley determinará el porcentaje de votación necesario para tener derecho a dicha financiación. También se podrá limitar el monto de los gastos que los partidos, movimientos, grupos significativos de ciudadanos o candidatos puedan realizar en las campañas electorales, así como la máxima cuantía de las contribuciones privadas, de acuerdo con la ley. […]" (Source: (Constitución Política de Colombia (2009) (Constitution)) )
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 contribution made by an individual can exceed the 10% of the expenses limit for each individual candidacy.
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?	Code Yes, for both natural and legal persons Comment Candidates can make contributions to his/her own campaign which are only subject to the limitation that they do notamount to more of the approved expenses limit. Source ARTÍCULO 23. "LÍMITES A LA FINANCIACIÓN PRIVADA. Ningún partido, movimiento, grupo significativo de ciudadanos, candidato o campaña, podrá obtener créditos ni recaudar recursos originados en fuentes de financiación privada, por más del valor total de gastos que se pueden realizar en la respectiva campaña. Tampoco podrá recaudar contribuciones y donaciones individuales superiores al 10% de dicho valor total. La financiación originada en recursos propios, del cónyuge, compañero permanente o parientes en el grado que autoriza la ley, no estará sometida a los límites individuales a que se refiere esta disposición pero en ningún caso la sumatoria de tales aportes o créditos podrá ser superior al monto total de gastos de la campaña. El valor de los créditos de cualquier origen tampoco estará sometido a límites individuales. Con posterioridad a las campañas y previa autorización del Consejo Nacional Electoral, las obligaciones pendientes de pago se podrán cancelar con la condonación parcial de créditos o con recursos originados en fuentes de financiación privada y dentro de los límites individuales señalados en esta disposición, pero tales condonaciones, aportes o contribuciones no tendrán el carácter de donaciones ni los beneficios tributarios reconocidos en la ley para este tipo de donaciones." (Source: (Ley 1475 de 2011, por la cual se adoptan reglas de organización y funcionamiento de los partidos y movimientos políticos, de los procesos electorales y se dictan otras disposiciones (Political Parties' Organization Law)) )
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?	Code No contribution made by an individual can exceed the 10% of the expenses limit for each individual candidac
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?

Question	Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	Code Yes, both regularly and in relation to campaigns Comment .
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Representation in elected body Share of votes in next election Share of seats in next election Participation in election Comment Campaign spending is partly reimbursed if the party reaches at least 4% of the valid votes (for governor and mayoral elections), and if the list reaches at least 50% of the established threshold. Ongoing funding is partly available to all parties, partly to parties that have reached 3% of the vote (Senate and House elections), partly to parties that have reached the required number of seats, and partly to those with the required share of women and youth in elected/leading positions.
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Equal Flat rate by votes received Proportional to seats received Comment The flat rate for the different offices is based on a formula established in the law that it is regularly updated according to variations in the inflation index.
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	Code Ongoing party activities Intra-party institution Comment Not in the case of funding (reimbursement) for elections. Of the regular funding, 30% shall be devoted to the accomplishment of the party?s objectives and ends and 15% to the training and inclusion of women, young people and ethnic minorities, and the rest is of free disposal.
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code Yes Comment Parties duly registered have free access tostate media on a permanent basis. For presidential and legislative elections,they have free access to state and private media during the two months prior to theelections.
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code Equal Share of seats Comment For campaign purposes, 40% of the free time is allocated on an equal basis,and 60% in proportion to the number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	Code Yes Comment For presidential candidates nominated by non-registered political parties or movements.
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	Code Yes Comment Parties receive funding for transportation ofvoters on election day and for postage franchise. This funding is included inthe campaign funding.
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?	Code Yes Comment A share of the public funding is to be distributed according to the number of elected women.
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?

Question	Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?	Code Yes
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	Code Yes Comment The limit is set per candidate, and the limit for a political party is the sum of the limit of its candidates.
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?	Code The limit is set per candidate Comment The variables to be considered by the study madeby the CNE are: the estimation of the real cost of campaigning, the census andthe amount of money set in the budget for that purpose.
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	Code Yes
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?	Code Limit depends on the type of election and population of each electoral area. Comment The law entitles the EMB to establish the limit in January of the year of the elections. For instance, the limit for Senate elections in 2010 was set to 675 million pesos [I$ 506,000]; and for representatives between 264 [I$ 198,000] and 531 million pesos [I$ 398,000] depending on the population of the respective election jurisdiction.
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?

Question	Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	Code Yes Comment Annually
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code No Comment Candidates report to the corresponding political party within the first month after the election.
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	Code Yes Comment Reports are made public by being published in a national newspaper after being reviewed by the EMB.
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	Code Sometimes Comment Only those donors whose contributions exceed an amount determined by the EMB
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	Code EMB
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	Code EMB
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	Code Fines Loss of public funding Deregistration of party Loss of nomination of candidate Loss of elected office Other Comment Fines can be imposed by the EMB on parties, candidates and third parties, and may range from 2 to 20 million pesos, and the political party can temporarily or permanently lose their registration, public funding, or free access to media. Also, if found guilty of surpassing the expenses limit, the winning candidate can be removed from office.

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Political Finance Database

Colombia

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