Central Election Commission promises sanctions for illegal financing of political campaigns

Political parties using "illegal or unaccounted for funds" for a politicaladvertising campaign may have "big problems" during the checks of theirfinancial records by the tax agencies. Central Election Commission (CEC)Chairman Alexander Veshnyakov voiced this opinion at today's newsconference in Moscow. Commenting on the fact that some political parties, including UnifiedRussia, are actively using outdoor advertisements, Veshnyakov pointed outthat during the period between the elections, the regulation of theactivity of political parties was not the responsibility of the CEC. TheJustice Ministry and the Tax Ministry are responsible for such regulation.The CEC head explained that all outdoor advertisements were to be financedfrom the funds of the political parties, which in accordance with the Lawon Political Parties, are obliged to submit annual reports on their sourcesof income and the allocation of funds to the Tax Ministry. Nonetheless,before the elections, the parties will have to submit reports on fundsspent on advertising during the period between the elections to the CentralElection Commission of Russia. These reports along with the results of thechecks by the tax agencies will be displayed at polling stations forvoters' information, Veshnyakov remarked. .