KINGSTON, Jamaica; The announcement of a national parliamentary election for Thursday, September 3 has triggered the campaign period under the Election Campaign Financing legislation. The campaign period begins on the date on which the election is announced (today, August 11) and continues through to 24 hours before the time for the opening of the polls on Election Day, that is Wednesday, September 2.

Consequently, all gifts, sponsorships and monies contributed to political parties and candidates during this period must be disclosed to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Registered political parties and candidates are required to report campaign expenditure and contributions for the period.

Contributors may give a maximum of 1.5 million dollars to each candidate and up to 31.5 million to a registered political party. Contributors of 250 thousand dollars or more must declare contributions and any government contracts valued at 500 thousand dollars or more, which are held or gained up to two years prior or after a contribution.

Individuals or entities who currently hold government contracts must declare any contribution no later than 14 days of making the contribution. Individuals or entities who are awarded government contracts after making a contribution must declare same within 14 days of entering into the contract.

A candidate may spend a maximum of 15 million dollars in election expenses and a registered political party up to 630 million dollars.

Failure to disclose contributions or government contracts held can result in charges not exceeding one million dollars and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.

The financing of election campaigns for the September 3 parliamentary election will be closely monitored by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica.

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