The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption informs the public that complaints lodged against the Agency were rejected in all the resolved cases before the Administrative Court, concerning the Agency's handling of complaints regarding irregularities in the publication of travel orders and analytical cards during the election campaign in October 2016 parliamentary elections.

The Agency recalls that 316 misdemeanor proceedings have been initiated due to the failure to publish analytical cards and travel orders, in accordance with the law. For violations of the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns, misdemeanor courts have until 1 July 2017 imposed fines in the amount of 66,295 euros. In case of publication of incomplete analytical cards (which is not defined under the Law as a misdemeanor), the Agency acted proactively, consulted with the authorities and made recommendations to supplement data on budget spending during the election campaign. Public institutions have complied with the Agency's suggestion and through the amendment of analytic cards, provided complete information on the use of budget funds. 

On the other hand, in the course of the 2016 election campaign for the parliamentary elections, a total of 2,373 complaints were submitted to the Agency for suspicion of the violation of the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Electoral Campaigns. Out of these, 2,298 complaints alleged that published analytical cards and travel orders contained incomplete information, that the documents failed to present certain information that the applicants consider should be included in travel orders and analytical cards.

Following these objections, the Agency undertook activities in accordance with the law and by-laws, after which it informed the applicants about the actions undertaken and the outcome of such actions.

The Agency recalls that the penal policy of the Agency during the election campaign is strictly defined by the provisions of the law, but that the Agency proactively enforces all legally permitted measures in order to raise public confidence in the election process. Before the elections to be held in 2017 and 2018, the Agency expresses the view that timely and lawful handling of complaints will remain among the priorities in the work of the public authority during the monitoring and control of election campaigns.

The Agency also wishes to express the belief that the legality and transparency of the future electoral processes may only be achieved through the consistent application of legal powers, strengthened communication and good cooperation with the complainants and all other subjects, thereby eliminating the risk of potential electoral abuse.