Political Finance Database

Art 52 (1) "Every political party is prohibited to accept donation or grant from the following persons or bodies: a) foreign nationals; b) foreign government or foreign political party;"

"The income source of a political party may be (...) donations or grants by Ethiopian nationals and companies in accordance with the limit to be set by the Board on basis of its study;"

(Article 51(1)b, the Revised Political Parties Registration No. 573/2008, 24 September 2008).

Art 52 (1) "Every political party is prohibited to accept donation or grant from the following persons or bodies (...) donation or grant having unknown source;"

Art 52 (1) "Every political party is prohibited to accept donation or grant from the following persons or bodies (...)  government organization."

Art 14 (1)"Any political shall not (...) use Federal, Regional, Municipal or other public resources for campaign purposes in any manner other than those allowed by election laws."

Art 51(3) "Notwithstanding the provision of Article 7 (2) of this Proclamation, a political party which has attained legal personality may not directly or indirectly engage in commercial and industrial activities."

100. Government Funding: Amount and Eligibility Criteria

1. The government shall grant annual financial support for political parties to enable them conduct legal operations and meet their obligations, based on the vote they win at Federal and State Council elections, the support and donations they receive from members and supporters, the number of female and disabled candidates they nominate as candidates, and other relevant criteria.

2. The amount of financial support that a political party receives, in accordance with sub- article (1) above, shall be determined by a directive to be issued by the Board based on the following criteria:

   1. the number of votes it wins at Federal and State Council elections;

   2. the support and donations it receives from members and supporters;

   3. the number of female candidates it nominates;

   4. the number of female members of the party and number of female at leadership positions; and

   5. the number of disabled candidates that it nominates.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article 3(a) of this Article, a party shall not receive government funding if it receives less than 0.5% of the total number of votes for the House of Peoples Representatives or less than one percent (1%) of the total votes for the State Council that it contested for. However, this minimum percentage requirement shall not be applicable to parties representing minority nations or nationalities.

4. The amount of funding to be granted based on the criteria listed under sub-article (2) above shall be applicable to the general election to be conducted following the adoption of this Proclamation.

5. In addition to the financial support stated above, the government may provide support to political parties in kind or through services.

• 100. Government Funding: Amount and Eligibility Criteria

  1. The government shall grant annual financial support for political parties to enable them conduct legal operations and meet their obligations, based on the vote they win at Federal and State Council elections, the support and donations they receive from members and supporters, the number of female and disabled candidates they nominate as candidates, and other relevant criteria.

  2. The amount of financial support that a political party receives, in accordance with sub- article (1) above, shall be determined by a directive to be issued by the Board based on the following criteria:

     1. the number of votes it wins at Federal and State Council elections;

     2. the support and donations it receives from members and supporters;

     3. the number of female candidates it nominates;

     4. the number of female members of the party and number of female at leadership positions; and

     5. the number of disabled candidates that it nominates.

  3. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article 3(a) of this Article, a party shall not receive government funding if it receives less than 0.5% of the total number of votes for the House of Peoples Representatives or less than one percent (1%) of the total votes for the State Council that it contested for. However, this minimum percentage requirement shall not be applicable to parties representing minority nations or nationalities.

  4. The amount of funding to be granted based on the criteria listed under sub-article (2) above shall be applicable to the general election to be conducted following the adoption of this Proclamation.

  5. In addition to the financial support stated above, the government may provide support to political parties in kind or through services.

And additional criteria: See below

"Art 100.  Government Funding: Amount and Eligibility Criteria - The amount of financial support that a political party receives, in accordance with subarticle

(1) above, shall be determined by a directive to be issued by the Board based on the following criteria: a. the number of votes it wins at Federal and State Council elections; b. the support and donations it receives from members and supporters; c. the number of female candidates it nominates;  d. the number of female members of the party and number of female at leadership positions; and e. the number of disabled candidates that it nominates. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article 3(a) of this Article, a party shall not receive government funding if it receives less than 0.5% of the total number of votes for the House of Peoples Representatives or less than one percent (1%) of the total votes for the State Council that it contested for.  However, this minimum percentage requirement shall not be applicable to parties representing minority nations or nationalities. 4. The amount of funding to be granted based on the criteria listed under sub-article (2) above shall be applicable to the general election to be conducted following the adoption of this Proclamation.   5. In addition to the financial support stated above, the government may provide support to political parties in kind or through services."

Art 46 (1 and 2)"A Political party shall utilize the support granted to it only for the intended purpose. The day to day activity of a political party includes the following:
a) the customary day to day activity of political party; b) developing political consciousness of the public; c) acquainting the public with the aims of the party;
d) agitation to enable citizens to have active participation in the political activity of the country; e) strengthening harmonious relationship between the public and the government institutions."

44. Use of the Mass Media

1. Political parties and their supporters are entitled to equal access to state-owned mass media including radio, TV and newspapers.

2. Candidates shall be entitled to get access to free airtime on the state-owned media.

3. The use of the mass media shall be carried out in accordance with the allocation directive to be developed by the Board in collaboration with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority

   and the participation of the contesting political parties.

4. the code of conduct and implementation guidelines dealing with mass media use,

   journalists’ coverage of elections and related matters shall be determined by the directive to be issued by the Board.

The Ethiopian Electoral and Political Parties Proclamation No…/2019

Art 59 (1)"Political organizations and sections of the community that are in support of a candidate shall be entitled to equal access to state-owned mass media including radio, TV and newspapers."

The Amended Electoral Law of Ethiopia, Proclamation No. 532/2007

 Art 42 (4) "The utilization of mass media shall be carried out in accordance with the election law."

The Revised Political Parties Registration No. 573/2008, 24 September 2008

Art 13 (1)"The financial support given to political parties by the government comprises of availing the parties the free use of government meeting halls, rendering mass media services according to the law and rendering of other similar services."

Regulation Concerning the Procedure for Determining the Apportionment of Government Financial Support to Political Parties Regulation Number 5/2009, 20 July 2009).

Art 13 (3)"The Board shall compute in terms of money, the share of air time given to a political party as part of the total financial support allocated to it according to this Regulation, and inform it thereof."

Regulation Concerning the Procedure for Determining the Apportionment of Government Financial Support to Political Parties Regulation Number 5/2009, 20 July 2009

44. Use of the Mass Media

1. Political parties and their supporters are entitled to equal access to state-owned mass media including radio, TV and newspapers.

2. Candidates shall be entitled to get access to free airtime on the state-owned media.

3. The use of the mass media shall be carried out in accordance with the allocation directive to be developed by the Board in collaboration with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority

   and the participation of the contesting political parties.

4. the code of conduct and implementation guidelines dealing with mass media use,

   journalists’ coverage of elections and related matters shall be determined by the directive to be issued by the Board.

The Ethiopian Electoral and Political Parties Proclamation No…/2019

45. Obligation of Government Organs

To ensure the success of election contests government organs and officials at all levels are obligated to prepare the ground to provide both for candidates and their supporters, equal access to such facilities as radio and television stations, meeting halls and newspapers under their respective managerial authority. The Board shall issue a directive to determine the particulars.

77. Exemption from Income Tax

1. Any political party shall not be liable to pay any kind of income tax on income collected from its members and supporters.

2. Political party does not have the obligation to collect and transfer to the government income tax payable in accordance with the law in respect to its employees’ salaries.

45. Obligation of Government Organs

To ensure the success of election contests government organs and officials at all levels are obligated to prepare the ground to provide both for candidates and their supporters, equal access to such facilities as radio and television stations, meeting halls and newspapers under their respective managerial authority. The Board shall issue a directive to determine the particulars.

Chapter 7, Article 100. Government Funding: Amount and Eligibility Criteria

1. The government shall grant annual financial support for political parties to enable them conduct legal operations and meet their obligations, based on the vote they win at Federal and State Council elections, the support and donations they receive from members and supporters, the number of female and disabled candidates they nominate as candidates, and other relevant criteria.

2. The amount of financial support that a political party receives, in accordance with sub- article (1) above, shall be determined by a directive to be issued by the Board based on the following criteria:

a. the number of votes it wins at Federal and State Council elections;

b. the support and donations it receives from members and supporters;

c. the number of female candidates it nominates;

d. the number of female members of the party and number of female at leadership positions; and

e. the number of disabled candidates that it nominates.

However, By – Laws of Political Party (Article 74) state:

"[...]Every political party when conducting election for leadership position shall ensure gender balance consideration."

142. Bribery and Abuse of Force or Power

Any political party, independent candidate, coalition, front, alliance or movement, as well as any political party leader, official, candidate, member, agent or representative who,

1. offers or receives monetary or any kind of inducement or bribe.

2. interferes or disturbs the voting process or counting of votes.

3. coerces or offers monetary or any kind of inducement to persons to vote for or against a particular party or candidate, or to abstain from voting.

4. controls polling stations by force or tries to get votes illegally.

5. Abuses power by offering a reward, threatening a penalty or by any other means.

6. coerces or offers monetary or any other kind of inducement to person to become a candidate or not to became a candidate, to withdraw or not to withdraw from an election

7. As a public servant, uses official time, responsibilities and resources to promote candidates or discourage other candidates from promoting themselves through legal means;

8. Uses public property for election campaigns shall be deemed to have committed an act of ethical violation.

105. Books of Account of Political Party

1) Anypoliticalparty:

1. shall deposit the support granted by government with a local bank using a

   separate account;

2. may not expend outside the allowed expenditure and shall transact the account

   according to the law;

3. shall keep the granted support in specific books of account by listing under every

   expenditure heading;

4. shall submit audit report certified by auditor or financial expert, according to

   finance law, specifying the amount granted by the government in the budget year

   and the particulars for which the money has been expended.

2. The auditor or financial expert shall forward his comment in the audit report as to whether the account audited by him has been expended outside the scope of the law and

   directive.

3. The Federal Auditor General may at any time inspect political parties concerning the

   utilization of the government support funds.

82. Auditor of Political Party

1. Every political party must keep properly its income, expenditure and assets and liabilities records and documents. The Board will issue a directive to determine the titles and details that these documents must contain.

2. Unless stated otherwise in this Proclamation, every political party shall commission within three months of the end of the budget year, an external auditor whose professional competency approved by the mandated body, a financial expert who has taken a professional oath, or board appointed auditor to conduct a review of its finances and submit to the Board an audit report .

Art 48 (3)"The political party shall submit its report to the Board within the period as determined by the Board if it relates to the report to be submitted as to the support granted for the purpose of election."

The Revised Political Parties Registration No. 573/2008, 24 September 2008

Art 24 (2)"Every political party that receives government financial support shall (...) submit an audited report to the Board concerning the government financial support within three months of the announcement of the result where the support is for the purpose of an election."

Regulation Concerning the Procedure for Determining the Apportionment of Government Financial Support to Political Parties Regulation Number 5/2009, 20 July 2009

68. [...] The Board shall, upon receiving the audit report as per Article 105 of this Proclamation, publicize it; and where it deems necessary it may order inspection.

111. Record and Audit of Political Party

Every political party shall have to keep appropriately at its head office an accurate and permanent record which includes the following matters:

1. any in kind or monetary contribution or donation, and pledged contribution or donation;

2. financial statement consisting the following:

   a. income statement indicating the different sources of income of the political party; b. the name of the person who made a contribution, donation or pledge of more than ETB 5000;
   c. the time by which the pledge contribution or donation is to be submitted; and d. the general financial activity of the political party.

3. list of the fixed assets of the political party, and when and how the political party came to own these assets;

4. The party’s detailed debt; and

5. other relevant matters required by the Board.

111. Record and Audit of Political Party

Every political party shall have to keep appropriately at its head office an accurate and permanent record which includes the following matters:

1. any in kind or monetary contribution or donation, and pledged contribution or donation;

2. financial statement consisting the following:

   a. income statement indicating the different sources of income of the political party; b. the name of the person who made a contribution, donation or pledge of more than ETB 5000;
   c. the time by which the pledge contribution or donation is to be submitted; and d. the general financial activity of the political party.

3. list of the fixed assets of the political party, and when and how the political party came to own these assets;

4. The party’s detailed debt; and

5. other relevant matters required by the Board.

Art 23 (3)"Where the financial support granted to a political party is money, according to article 48 subarticle (C) and (D) of the Registration Proclamation, it shall:enter its expenditures by listing them under every expenditure heading."

111. Record and Audit of Political Party

Every political party shall have to keep appropriately at its head office an accurate and permanent record which includes the following matters:

1. any in kind or monetary contribution or donation, and pledged contribution or donation;

2. financial statement consisting the following:

   a. income statement indicating the different sources of income of the political party; b. the name of the person who made a contribution, donation or pledge of more than ETB 5000;
   c. the time by which the pledge contribution or donation is to be submitted; and d. the general financial activity of the political party.

3. list of the fixed assets of the political party, and when and how the political party came to own these assets;

4. The party’s detailed debt; and

5. other relevant matters required by the Board.

113. Annual Audit Report

1. Every political party shall undertake financial investigation annually by its auditor. Starting from 6 months of its registration, the political party shall submit its audit report to the Ethiopian National Electoral Board on the third month after the end of each budget year.

Art 47 (3)"The support granted by the government to the political parties for the purpose of election shall be reported periodically to the Board in the audit report by the political parties after listing the expenditure of the grant in expenditure heading and certified by the auditor."

82. Auditor of Political Party

1. Every political party must keep properly its income, expenditure and assets and liabilities records and documents. The Board will issue a directive to determine the titles and details that these documents must contain.

2. Unless stated otherwise in this Proclamation, every political party shall commission within three months of the end of the budget year, an external auditor whose professional competency approved by the mandated body, a financial expert who has taken a professional oath, or board appointed auditor to conduct a review of its finances and submit to the Board an audit report .

105. Books of Account of Political Party

[...] The Federal Auditor General may at any time inspect political parties concerning the utilization of the government support funds.

116. Right of an Election Observers

1. A representative of an organization who is issued with an election observation accreditation has the right to monitor the election process and request and obtain appropriate information. The observers have the right to look at elections material and observer the voting and counting process.

83. Right of Auditor or Financial Advisor

The auditor or finance expert examining a political party’s finances has the right to request for, and examine any document related to the assets and properties of the political party.

98. Canceling Registration of Political Party upon the Decision of the Board

1. The Board may cancel the registration of a political party for one of the following reasons:

   1. the political party has not notified the Board for appropriate reason and according to the provisions of this Proclamation when it changes its name, emblem, document, leadership, auditor, head office and other similar change and when it has not responded within two months the Board’s request to correct such actions.

   2. Where the political party failed to submit to the Board annual performance, audit, or other periodical reports required as per this Proclamation within the stipulated timeframe and having been granted a 30 days extension by the Board, failed to submit the same without sufficient reason;

110. Unlawfully Acquired Asset and Property

Where a political party is found to have received, in a manner otherwise than permitted by this Proclamation, money or any property in the form of donation, gratuity, inheritance or proceeds from commercial and industrial activity, or in any other way, it shall be fined three times more than the money it received. Additionally, it may be held liable under the appropriate law.

Art 28 (1)"Any political party that utilizes the financial grant rendered to it by the government for the purposes and activities other than what it is intended for, or does not submit a report within the stipulated time or presents a false financial document, or is in default of his obligations in relation to the grant: A. the support granted to the party may be reduced or terminated; B. the party may be fined, suspended or dissolved according to the penal law; C. the party may be cancelled from  registration, or D. the leader or leaders of the political party may be fined or sentenced."