The National Electoral Commission (PPP) has informed of the rejection of the accounts of the Law and Justice Election Committee (PiS) in relation to the detected irregularities concerning the financing of the electoral campaign. The amount for which the dispute is pending amounts to PLN 3.6 million.
Charges against the PiS Committee
According to information obtained by the Polish Press Agency (PAP), PKW accuses the PiS Committee of financial irregularities that occurred during the campaign. Rejection of the financial statements presented by the electoral committee is 1 of the most serious tools available to PKW as part of the supervision of the electoral process. Although the resolution on this substance has not yet been officially voted on, questions arise about the consequences of specified a decision.
Effects of rejection of the accounts
Rejection of the electoral committee's accounts can lead to far-reaching legal and political consequences. In the Polish electoral system, in accordance with Article 149(2) of the Act on the Election of the president of the Republic of Poland, if the State Electoral Commission finds that the financial study of the electoral committee contains irregularities, it may reject this report. In practice, this means that a committee which does not comply with the rules on run financing may be subject to sanctions, including even the anticipation of losing part of the grant or subsidy.
However, the decision of the PCC is not final. The election committee shall have the right to lodge an appeal with the ultimate Court which may amend the Commission’s decision. specified cases have already been dealt with by courts, including on the PKW resolution on the rejection of the electoral committee's accounts in 2011, where the court found it justified to dismiss the committee.
ambiguities in run financing
One of the most crucial elements of the electoral run is its transparency and compliance with the law. In the case of political parties receiving public funds, any irregularities in the accounts may rise serious doubts. In this context, questions concerning the amount of PLN 3.6 million which is the subject of the dispute may become crucial for the public and further proceedings.
It is worth noting that the Act on political parties and another electoral regulations impose on electoral committees the work of transparency in financing their activities. In the event of non-compliance, committees must anticipate sanctions that may affect their future political activities.
Political repercussions
The rejection of the financial statements by PKW may besides have serious political consequences. Although the Commission's decision formally concerns only the finances of the electoral campaign, in the eyes of the public, specified a decision may affect the perception of political parties as a whole. Possible financial sanctions may weaken the ability of the Law and Justice Office to finance future electoral campaigns, which could affect electoral results in the long term.
Furthermore, in the era of social media and fast circulation of information, specified controversy can become part of a negative run utilized by political opponents. PiS opponents may effort to usage this situation to undermine the credibility of the organization in the eyes of voters, especially in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
What's next?
Kaczyński's organization will now have the chance to appeal to the ultimate Court. This issue will surely be closely observed by both politicians and public opinion, as it can have far-reaching consequences for the future of the Polish political scene.
Read more:
PKW rejected the PiS report. Kaczyński without budget grants
