StAR Promotes E-Filing of Asset Declarations by Public Officials

Stolen Assets Recovery issued a report discussing the utility of electronically filing the disclosure of assets and interests by public officials.  World Bank research shows more than 143 countries have introduced a system of asset and/or interest disclosure for public officials.[1]  Asset and interest disclosure systems are important mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment, improve integrity, and promote accountability of public officials.[2] The transition to electronic-based filing (“E-filing”) and data management depends on many variables such as internet access, availability of digital signatures, information technology capacity, and institutional capacity to process filings. [3]