Elections financing - The role of auditing

State audit of elections and Political party financing is executed by the State Comptroller in accordance with the authority granted him by various statutes

State audit of elections and party financing is executed by the State Comptroller in accordance with the authority granted him by various statues (Parties Financing Law – 5733-1973; Local Authorities Law (Election Financing) 5753-1993; Parties Law, 5752-1992).

In this framework, the State Comptroller audits the financial accounts of parties running in the Knesset elections, factions and lists running in the elections of local authorities, candidates for the head of regional councils and candidates running in the primaries of the different political parties. Additionally, the State Comptroller audits the current accounts of parties represented in the Knesset.

Regulations and limitations incumbent on persons running for office in different electoral campaigns is set forth in the abovementioned statutes and in the instructions published by the State Comptroller. As part of the audit, the State Comptroller examines whether the parties and candidates managed their financial accounts in accordance with the law and its directives, expenditures did not exceed the maximum amount allowed by law (hereafter – “Expenditure Ceiling”), and contributions that were received met the constraints fixed by law in regard to the identity of contributors and the amount of contributions. The State Comptroller publishes a report of his findings, and determines, in respect to each party and candidate, whether they acted in accordance with the law and its directives; that is, whether the State Comptroller’s report regarding them is positive or not. The State Comptroller imposes monetary sanctions on candidates in party primaries as well as on the parties and lists that did not abide by the law’s constraints and directives, in accordance with his findings and its determinations, including rescinding of some national funding allocated to parties or factions.

Special announcements made by the State Comptroller on fundamental subjects related to auditing are published and appear on the State Comptroller’s website.

Candidates must submit a report to the State Comptroller about the contributions they receive for their political campaigns and the State Comptroller posts this information on the State Comptroller’s website so that the public can view it. The list of contributors, after being checked by the State Comptroller, is included in the Comptroller’s report.

Political Parties (Financing) Law, 5733-1973