Up to five federal election candidates have been referred to prosecutors over the past two years, an inquiry has heard.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers told a Senate committee looking into a national anti-corruption watchdog that his organisation was "extremely vigilant" when it came to breaches of electoral laws.
The AEC's main role in terms of misconduct falls in the area of disclosure of donations to political parties, maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll and examining electoral offences such as bribery and misconduct at polling places.
"Over the last two financial years we have referred either four or five candidates to the DPP as a result of non-compliance with funding and disclosure requirements," Mr Rogers said.
But he said the commission had no oversight of how political parties spent the $62 million given to them in public funding after the last federal election.
"The AEC is not responsible for internal control of parties," he said, adding the commission was not looking for extra powers in this regard.
The commission is investigating whether electoral disclosure laws were breached by One Nation in relation to an aircraft used for campaigning by party leader Pauline Hanson.
Senator Hanson insists proper disclosures were made and has contacted the AEC seeking a quick resolution.
Asked about the progress of the investigation, Mr Rogers said it was ongoing.
The electoral commissioner was adamant his organisation could resist any pressure from within the political sphere.
"Elections are effectively a contest and we are the umpire in that contest and we are pressured from all sides and we have a history of withstanding that pressure very well and maintaining our line," he said.
"As long as our decisions are annoying everybody we are probably doing about the right thing."
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