Audit Bureau, OECD collaborate on political parties funding audit workshop



AMMAN — In line with the comprehensive modernisation vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, particularly the political modernisation vision, the Audit Bureau organised a virtual workshop entitled "Auditing Political Parties Funding by Supreme Audit Institutions". This workshop was held in cooperation with the OECD's SIGMA initiative, with the participation of the Bureau’s auditors and employees from the Independent Election Commission, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

In his opening remarks, Radhi Hamadeen, President of the Audit Bureau, emphasised the key role of supreme audit institutions in auditing political parties funding. He highlighted the urgent need for transparency given the growing interest in political participation as a cornerstone of political life. Hamadeen also underscored the impartiality of supreme audit institutions, which maintain an equal distance from all parties.

Hamadeen stated that the Audit Bureau followed the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, emphasising the need for parallel political, economic, and administrative modernisation. He noted that the Audit Bureau is part of a committee chaired by the Independent Election Commission, which includes the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Central Bank of Jordan, the Anti-Money Laundering Unit, and the Association of Banks. This committee aims to monitor expenditures related to the bank accounts of parties and local lists and control their spending. Additionally, it audits the compliance of lists and candidates with the rules of funding election campaigns and all forms of electoral advertising activities, according to the statement.

Furthermore, Hamadeen mentioned that increasing public trust in the role of audit institutions requires developing mechanisms and methodologies according to international standards and best practices. This ensures equal opportunities for all participants and leads to the formation of parliamentary councils with the highest levels of integrity and independence.

During the workshop, Alastair Swarbrick, SIGMA senior policy advisor, presented a paper on SIGMA's experience in party financing and the role of supreme audit institutions in monitoring election campaign financing. The workshop also featured presentations on the experiences of Balkan countries, SIGMA's recommendations, and best practices in this field, the statement said.

Additionally, Giorgi Alasania, Deputy Head of Quality Assurance at the State Audit Office of Georgia, shared his experience in auditing party funding, election campaigns, donations, and potential violations. He noted that transferring the audit of parties to the Anti-Corruption Commission in Georgia was driven by public and media pressure.

This workshop, the first of its kind, is part of a series of activities conducted by the Audit Bureau in collaboration with international institutions. It aims to enhance the efficiency of the Bureau's staff, improve institutional performance, and keep pace with best international auditing practices. This is driven by the Audit Bureau's belief in enhancing public trust in party participation at the national level, particularly in elections, which in turn contributes to accelerating the pace of the political reform, the statement said.