MINSK, 23 September (BelTA) – The OSCE/ODIHR long-term election observation mission notes in its interim report that the caps on donations to presidential candidates’ accounts and their spending limits have been increased in Belarus, BelTA informs.
According to the document, legal amendments in 2013 and 2015 allowed prospective candidates to open bank accounts for funds collection once their initiative group is registered and introduced additional bans on foreign funding.
Each candidate may spend up to approximately €85,000. In addition, there is in-kind state support for campaigning in the form of use of premises for campaign events, campaign materials and free airtime.
Candidates submit a financial report to the Central Election Commission not later than 10 days prior to the election and a final financial report within five days after the election.
The observers noted that six initiative groups opened bank accounts at the stage of the voter signature collection.