Deadline for candidates to file local government election expenses today

Candidates who contested the local government elections last November have until the end of today to file their election expenses with the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) or face sanctions.

A total of 489 candidates contested the polls, which were won by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

The ECJ says under law candidates or their agents are required to file a return of expenses within six weeks after the holding of an election.

The election was held on November 28.

The Commission says it is an offence not to file a return or to make a false declaration on one’s return.

If convicted, an offender can be fined a minimum of $20,000 or a maximum of $80,000 or be imprisoned for not less than three years.