14-day grace period for leaders to submit annual returns

The Ombudsman Commission is urging all national leaders to submit their annual returns by February 28th, the deadline which expired yesterday. As March 1st falls on a Saturday, the deadline was brought forward to February 28th to ensure timely compliance. The commission expects full cooperation from all leaders in meeting this statutory requirement.

As stipulated by Section 67 of the Constitution and Section 5 of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, all persons categorized as leaders are legally obligated to submit their annual returns. The Ombudsman Commission emphasizes that failure to fulfill this obligation could result in significant penalties, including potential legal repercussions. For those who missed the February 28th deadline, Section 33(a) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership provides a 14-day grace period to allow for late submissions.

However, the office cautions that providing false or misleading information will lead to more severe consequences under the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, and those found to have inaccurate financial disclosures may face legal action. This reminder is particularly important for newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) who were sworn in during February. According to Section 31(2)(a) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, these MPs must submit their annual returns within 60 days of being sworn in, setting their deadline as April 11, 2025.

The Ombudsman Commission emphasizes that submitting annual returns is a fundamental responsibility of leaders and should not require repeated reminders. "The obligation to lodge annual returns is a legal duty, not a request," the statement reads. "Leaders who fail to comply with the deadline risk being prosecuted under the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership." This proactive approach aims to promote transparency and accountability among national leaders.