Principles of funding of the initiative groups, of electoral competitors and of participants in the referendum

The funding and material support, in any form, of the initiative groups and electoral campaigns shall be carried out in accordance with the following principles:

a) the principle of legality, by compliance with the provisions of this Code and the related legal framework;

b) the principle of equal opportunities or equal treatment in the electoral pro­cess, including by ensuring the gender balance and access for persons with special needs;

c) the principle of transparency of revenues and expenditures, by presenting correct and objective reports on the financing of electoral campaigns and of the initiative groups and their subsequent publication, by the electoral competitors, initiative groups, independent candidates and participants in the referendum;

d) the principle of independence of the initiative groups, independent candi­dates, electoral competitors and participants in the referendum towards donors;

e) the principle of the integrity of the electoral campaign;

f) the principle of proportionality in the conduct of electoral procedures, in­cluding in the application of sanctions by the electoral bodies.