NIA: Jamaica deserves a stronger political finance law
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:35 AM
The National Integrity Action (NIA) is urging the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) to take the necessary steps through their representatives on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica to plug loopholes in the country’s electoral laws.
Principal Director of NIA Danielle Archer says Jamaica deserves a stronger political finance law that promotes full transparency, holds political parties accountable for their financial practices, encourages fair competition and, most importantly, prevents the misuse of public funds.
According to the NIA, the current legislation places limits on donations received during the ‘Reporting Period’, which begins in the last six months of a five-year term or the day the election date is officially announced by the prime minister, whichever is earlier, and continues for six months after the election.
Outside of this window, said Archer, there is no requirement to report funds used for election activity or donations to any political party. She noted that political parties have consistently exploited this loophole.
Alleged misuse of funds
The anti-corruption campaigner said she notes the current allegations surrounding the alleged misuse of funds at municipal corporations.
She said these allegations follow a report from the auditor general that four municipal corporations have failed to account for approximately $81 million under the Municipal Social Assistance Programme.
She also mentioned current allegations surrounding the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC) alleged use of public funds for electioneering, insisting that this underscores the urgent need for stronger legislation to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaign financing.
“It is essential to prevent the misuse of funds, safeguard the integrity of our democratic processes and restore public trust in our political system. These allegations come in the wake of concerns that public funds available to both political parties may be used to provide goods and services to further their election activities,” Archer said.
The principal director of NIA maintains that strong political financing legislation builds and maintains public trust while safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes. “It ensures that voters decide elections rather than any financial power,” she added.
The NIA has called on political leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to unite in demanding stronger party financing legislation. “The current gaps and weaknesses in our laws undermine the fairness and transparency of our democratic process,” Archer said.
The anti-corruption watchdog group wants the strengthening of existing legislation and the implementation of new robust regulations to provide for full public disclosure, on a quarterly basis, of the identity of donors and the amount each donor contributed to political parties.