(Jamaica Gleaner) Statutory bodies are to be banned from making any form of donation or contribution to political parties under new regulation expected to be in place by year end.
In the past, state agencies have spent millions of dollars advertising in the lead-up to elections in thinly disguised attempts to boost the fortunes of respective ministers in general elections.
While many Jamaicans view this as a misuse of state funds, it has been allowed because there was no law to prevent it.
But the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is attacking this problem in its proposals for legislation to cover the registration and financing of political parties.
“Statutory bodies within the Government will be forbidden from making contributions of cash or kind to any political party,” Dorothy Pine-McLarty, selected member of the ECJ, told a recent Gleaner Editors’ Forum.
“Further, the commission should have the power to require pertinent and relevant information from any statutory body that it has reason to suspect – either by (the ECJ’s) own intelligence or complaints received – that it is covertly using its resources in support of any partisan political agenda, especially in the year leading up to a general election,” said Pine-McLarty.
State to put up 40%
This is one of several recommendations coming from the ECJ in what will form the new rules governing party financing.
Under the recommendations, the State will provide 40 per cent of the cost of setting up modest offices in each constituency for registered political parties. The State will also provide the money to pay one administrator to work in each office.
It is not yet clear just how much this will cost, but the money is to be taken from the Consolidated Fund as part of the Government’s expenditure each year.
The issue of party registration and financing has been under consideration since 2002, with several proposals being placed on the table.
But after consultations and deliberations, the ECJ is now ready, with the final touches expected to be completed and the report signed when the commission next meets on July 7.
