31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?

Political Organizations Law, article 29                                                                    

“Artículo 29.- Financiamiento público directo
(...) Dichos fondos se otorgan con cargo al Presupuesto General de la República y son recibidos por los partidos políticos para ser utilizados, durante el quinquenio posterior a la mencionada elección, conforme a las siguientes reglas:
a) Hasta el 50% del financiamiento público directo recibido para ser utilizado en gastos de funcionamiento ordinario, así como en la adquisición de inmuebles, mobiliario y otros bienes necesarios para atender actividades consustanciales al objeto de la organización política, así como para la contratación de personal y servicios diversos.
b) No menos del 50% del financiamiento público directo recibido para ser utilizado en actividades de formación, capacitación, investigación y difusión de estas, bajo criterios de igualdad, paridad y no discriminación entre hombres y mujeres. Estas actividades pueden estar orientadas a los procesos electorales convocados e involucrar realización de encuestas, desarrollo de sistemas informáticos o herramientas digitales y procesamiento masivo de datos. (...)".                                                                     

"Article 29.- Direct public funding                                                                 

(...) Those funds are granted charged to the General National Budget and they are received by the political parties to be used, during the subsequent five-year period to the referred election, according to the following rules:                                                                                                

a) Up to 50% of direct public funding received to be used in ordinary functioning, as well as acquisition of property, furniture and other assets needed to undertake inherent activities to the object of the political organization, as well as staff recruitment and contracting of diverse services.

b) Not less than 50% of the direct public funding received to be used in training and research activities and their difusion, under criteria of equality, parity and non discrimination between men and women. These activities can be oriented to electoral processes called and involve surveys, computer systems development or digital tools and massive process of data. (...)"

Direct public funding should be used for on-going party activities, for intra-party institution and also for research and training, the latter can be oriented to electoral processes.