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<p>The Electoral Commission has powers to impose a variable monetary penalty where
it is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a person has committed a prescribed offence
or contravention under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
The Commission takes decisions on sanctions in line with its Enforcement Policy. This
document was the result of a public consultation and is available on its website;
I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.</p><p>The Commission has called
for an increase to the maximum penalty it can impose on political parties and others
for offences or contraventions under the political finance rules. The Commission’s
view is that the current maximum fine of £20,000 per offence could be seen as a cost
of doing business, and that monetary penalties should be more proportionate to the
income and expenditure of larger and well-funded parties and campaigners.</p>
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