54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?

17-1.6. The political parties failing to submit their annual financial statements as required in the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “on Accounting”, shall be held liable as provided by law.

Source: Article 17-1.6., Law on Political Parties, 1992 (amended 2018).

14.5. Non-government organisations shall publish their annual financial statements in accordance with the requirements of article 12 of this law.

Source: Article 14.5.,  Republic of Azerbaijan Accounting Law, 2004.

91.4. On the instruction of the relevant election commission, the relevant bank shall stop financial transactions to pay expenses from the special election accounts of candidates, registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties and referendum campaign groups in the following cases:

Source: Article 14.5., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

94.2. Candidates, registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties, and referendum campaign groups are obliged to register the collection and expenditure of their election funds.

Source: Article 92.2., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

95.2. The relevant bank shall inform the Central Election Commission on funds entered into and spent from the election funds of candidates, registered candidates, political parties and blocs of political parties, in the manner determined by the Central Election Commission […]

Source: Article 95.2., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

The Law on Political Parties requires political parties to keep their accounts in pursuant to the Accouning Law. The Accounting Law refers to National and International Accounting Standards as well as Consolidated Financial Statements. Political parties submit their financial annual financial statements in compliance with accounting rules set by Article 12 of this Law ("Rules for the Submission and Publication of Financial Statements of Commercial Organisations"). Political parties' financial reports include consolidated itemized income.

There is no specific standard of reporting itemized spending for candidates in parliamentary, presidential and municipal elections as well as block of parties. However, it is clear that all financial transactions including spending shall be made through bank from the special election accounts of candidates, registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties and referendum campaign groups. Moreover, candidates, registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties, and referendum campaign groups are obliged to register the collection and expenditure of their election funds in a bank account in the manner determined by the Central Election Commission.