NIA Reiterates Call for Loopholes in Campaign Finance Laws To Be Addressed

As the country’s two major political parties begin raising funds to contest the upcoming general elections, concerns are again being raised about loopholes in the country’s campaign finance laws.

The campaign finance legislation allows the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, ECJ, to monitor and assess the legitimacy of these funds.

But according to founding director of the National Integrity Action, NIA, Professor Trevor Munroe, gaps still remain.

The campaign financing period began on March 7.

Under the regulation, individuals, companies and other entities are required to declare their contributions to political parties and candidates.

The requirement applies once that donation reaches or exceeds $250,000.

The measures were put in place to bring greater transparency to campaign spending.

But according to Professor Trevor Munroe, the law needs to be revised in order to address the loopholes that currently exist.

Professor Munroe, who was speaking on the Jamaicans for Justice, JFJ-produced show “Let’s Talk Justice” aired on Nationwide Radio on Monday, also notes another gap in the framework, which he says cannot effectively detect the donation of tainted funds.

To that effect, he’s calling for a comprehensive regulatory framework.

Noted constitutional attorney, Dr. Lloyd Barnett, agreed that the reporting requirements under the law are weak.