Several state institutions violate the limit on the use of budget funds during the election campaign, according to an analysis made by the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS).
From that non-governmental organization (NGO), it was announced that among the institutions, the Institute for Employment of Montenegro (ZZZCG) is leading the way, which in August spent 1,1 million euros more than the six-month average of that state institution's spending.
Article 38 of the Law on the Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns limits the use of state funds in such a way that state institutions "prohibit monthly spending higher than the average monthly spending in the previous six months from the day of the announcement to the day of the election". of the elections was introduced as a response to the widespread practice that during the election campaign certain state institutions use budget funds on various grounds in order to influence the freedom of choice among voters," the MANS press release points out.
They stated that the data they analyzed in the case of ZZZCG show that the average monthly consumption of this institution was about four million euros, so that in August ZZZCG would have paid out about a million more, ie 5,16 million euros, from its account.
"The largest part of the increase was related to other transfers to individuals, where the Institute paid out as much as 781 thousand euros in August, which is 329 thousand more than the monthly spending on this budget line of the ZZZCG," the announcement reads.
MANS said that during August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) spent as much as 500.000 euros more than the monthly average, and the biggest increase in spending in the month when local elections were announced was on the net earnings item.
"Thus, in August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs paid out net wages in the amount of 4,3 million euros, which is almost 380 thousand euros more than the average defined by law during the six months before the election," MANS said.
They also said that the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection exceeded the monthly average by 365 thousand euros, and the largest overrun within the budget of this institution was recorded from the budget bowl - consulting services, studies and projects.
"The Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions also recorded an increase of 334 euros, while the Ministry of Culture and Media in August paid out 331 more than the monthly average. The largest deviations from the monthly average spending were recorded by this ministry in transfers to individuals and transfers to municipalities," they said. from MANS.
The NGO stated that during August, the Ministry of Defense spent 200 more than the monthly average, and the biggest deviations were recorded in transfers to individuals and one-time social assistance.
"In August, the Assembly of Montenegro exceeded the average monthly consumption by around 100 thousand euros, as well as the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, which exceeded the legal limit by 117 thousand euros," according to MANS.
They also say that among the state institutions that violated the limit on the use of state funds, they registered the Institute for Education (about 40.000 euros), the State Archives of Montenegro (about 28.000 euros), and the Prosecutor's Council (about 28.000 euros).
"The Law on the Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns prescribes misdemeanor penalties for non-compliance with the legal limit on the use of state funds during the election campaign. Article 68 of this law prescribes a fine in the amount of 200 to 2000 euros for the responsible person in the state body where the excess is registered of monthly expenses, MANS will already tomorrow submit to the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption initiatives for initiating proceedings for violations of the Law on the Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns," the announcement concludes.
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