Gov’t to Focus on Campaign Finance Reform

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the Government intends to focus on campaign finance reform, and there is no reason regulations cannot be put in place soon.

Addressing a  Ministry of Justice Community Sensitisation Session at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on September 8, Mr. Chuck said  the matter  is urgent and also of national importance, and the Government has no problem entertaining meaningful dialogue on the way forward.

“I know this is a very topical issue and one that the public has a right to be informed on. The Cabinet, though, will have to give me direction to proceed and once this is done, we can then move towards having the regulations in place,” he said.

Mr. Chuck noted that the political process will have to move in line with the realities of the times, adding that there has to be transparency and a belief that the country is serious about addressing how political parties are funded.

“I see no reason why the regulations cannot be put in place. There cannot be any doubt that politicians and both political parties cannot see themselves as private clubs, but as national organisations that are responsible to the public at large. We have to be open and transparent, and I can tell you from where I sit that we have no problem with campaign financing,” the Minister said.

Mr. Chuck said that once the legislation is in place, all funding over a certain amount of money must be declared so the public at large can see who is donating to which political party or to which individual candidate.

“All that is really needed now are the regulations and I am confident that this will be done pretty soon, especially with all the attention the topic is now getting,” he added.