Lead Stories

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

SECRETARY GENERAL of the Organisation of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, is batting for full disclosure in relation to the funding of political parties in the Caribbean.

"For me, the best thing would be complete disclosure," Insulza said in a Gleaner interview on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Professor Errol Miller, stood by the commission's decision to push for limited, instead of full disclosure, for donors in its draft legislation on the matter.

Miller had argued that the fear factor among donors was legitimate not only in Jamaica, but other countries as there were concerns about possible repercussions.

While insisting that the public should have access to information on the financing of political parties, the OAS head acknowledged that full disclosure could provide an avenue for political victimisation.

In this regard, he proposed that in the absence of disclosure to the public, an agency should be set up to receive reports on political donations.

According to Insulza, the agency created to vet political donations should comprise persons of impeccable integrity who would have the task of ensuring that the source of funding to parties was not tainted.

The OAS head suggested that there should be a limit to the amount of money spent on political campaigns. "The limit is important because, even from an ethical point of view, you can't pay your way to Parliament by spending money," he said.

The secretary general said there should be an upper and lower limit for political contributions but insisted on proper accountability.

Meanwhile, assistant secretary general of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, yesterday opened a regional consultation on political party strengthening and campaign financing in Kingston.

The two-day meeting will analyse model legislation on the registration and regulation of political parties and on campaign financing, formulated under the auspices of the OAS.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com