Jamaica election donors lauded for transparency

(Jamaica Gleaner) Professor Trevor Munroe, executive director of National Integrity Action Limited (NIAL), lauded the five corporate companies that have disclosed their monetary contributions to the island’s two main political parties.

The NIAL’s campaign for the unmasking of political donors and the public declaration of their contributions was done in tandem with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) and the Jamaica Civil Society Coalition.

“It’s a first for Jamaica and for the Caribbean. Since Adult Suffrage in 1944, there has never been any disclosure so that the electorate may get a better understanding of who is funding the political parties, and by how much.”

He added: “The first action to get political parties registered and campaign funding regulated was my resolution in the Senate of May 2002, which both sides agreed on, but since then, what we have had is significant positive talk but no practical movement forward on campaign finance disclosure.

“That is, until now. “The companies and their leadership which have led the way must be commended and appreciated,” said Munroe.

However, Munroe cautioned that the move by the companies at transparency is just the first step in a long journey.

“This is just the beginning. It’s a historic step but just the beginning,” emphasised the professor.

He added: “It’s a victory for Jamaica in extending the area of transparency in governance.

The ECJ recently recommended partial disclosure where both parties would indicate to the selected members of the ECJ the source and amount of contributions.

Full disclosure

However, Munroe thinks that alone will not suffice. Referencing a recently published Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll that showed that 75 per cent of Jamaicans want full disclosure on political donations, Munroe said the results showed “how public opinion on the matter has matured”.

“The NIAL is calling for full disclosure which is in keeping with the position expressed by the majority of Jamaicans. Full disclosure would cover not just companies but also individuals. In most mature democracies, there is disclosure above a certain minimum. And that’s what we ought to strive for,” he said.