OAS will Support Dialogue on Campaign Financing

The Organisation of American States (OAS) is willing to support the Government in promoting dialogue on issues relating to campaign financing, in order to set the framework for future legislation.
This commitment was given by Secretary-General of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza at a press briefing, held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston, yesterday (February 7).
According to Mr. Insulza, the issue of campaign financing was relevant to the OAS, and the organization would be paying close attention to the matter.
“Our own goal is to have a clear and strong legislation on matters of campaign financing in each country of the region,” he said.
He noted however, that “it is the countries and the governments which have to decide on what kind of legislation they will have. What we (OAS) can do is help each country decide on what kind of legislation they want to have by setting forward what the major issues are,” the Secretary-General said.
In his address, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn, said that campaign financing was a critical issue that was high on the agenda of many CARICOM member states as well as other countries throughout the region.
“There is a need for greater dialogue on matters having to do with private and public financing of political campaigns as well as rules and regulation to govern political campaigns, in order to ensure transparency and accountability,” he stressed.
The OAS plays a significant role in supporting democracy in the region, particularly in relation to electoral observation missions. Recently, a large mission was sent to Guyana to assist in their electoral preparations.
Jamaica has also received significant support from the OAS over the years in a number of areas, including the environment, poverty alleviation, security, sustainable development through training, workshops and scholarships. The OAS comprises 34 member states, including Jamaica.