Kingston, Jamaica. The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) on July 1, 2019 held a stakeholder sensitization session of the recently implemented Election Campaign Financing Legislation and Regulations at the St Mary Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting held at the Casa Maria Hotel.

The meeting had business owners, civil servants and entrepreneurs engaged in discussions surrounding the responsibility of the contributors and the contributions given to political parties or political representatives.

While outlining the regulations and penalties that now guide campaign periods, Director of Legal Services at the ECJ, Ms. Colleen Wallen, also encouraged members in attendance to assist the Commission to hold political parties and political representatives accountable by adhering to the statutes of the law. “The sensitization of the Public is a new initiative of the ECJ since the law came into effect in 2016 and we are seeking the assistance of the public in holding our political representatives and all registered political parties accountable.”

The legislation, along with its regulations, addresses the core issues related to Campaign Financing including disclosure, state funding, monitoring and enforcement.

The Electoral Commission of Jamaica has established the National Election Campaign Fund (NECF) in keeping with the law to promote the legal contribution of the public to political representation. The fund is a composition of funds which will be administered by the Electoral Commission, for use in the reimbursement of up to 40% of election campaign expenses, which are incurred by candidates in an election.

Other stakeholder sessions are slated to take place right across the island on issues relating to campaign financing.