Each candidate who contests a general election has an expenditure limit broadly based on the number of registered voters in the constituency. The limit is overseen by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Source: Vote Barbados 2003
One major source of funding is through the Parliament (Administration) Act 1989 (CAP. 10). This facility allows parliament to provide an annual subvention of BDS$300,000 which is shared among the political parties having a parliamentary presence. In addition, each constituency is entitled to an office and a stipend of BDS$750, as well as the provision of a constituency assistant attached to each Member of Parliament under the provisions of Section 10 of the Parliament (Administration) Act. Finally there is also a tax-incentive granted to Members of Parliament, which allows them to claim up to 5,000 annually or 10% of their Parliamentary salary (whichever is smaller) in respect of financial contributions to their political party.
Source: Political Party Campaigning Financing
In recent times the issue of campaign financing in the region – Jamaica is a recent example but of more relevance to Barbados is the mystery which shrouds Prime Minister Owen Arthur and the alleged donation of BDS750, 000.00. The allegation was given currency by Leader of the Opposition David Thompson back in April 2007 under the cloak of parliamentary privilege in the House of Assembly. Despite our best research we have not been able to identify a direct rebuttal by the Prime Minister to the charge that he received a party donation, and for an unexplained reason the cheque was deposited to his personal account at FCIB. What has brought new focus to what many believe is a system which requires change is the creativity of political parties to attract campaign financing to ‘buy votes’.
Source: Cartoon Stock
For those of you who are following the build-up to the US Presidential Election in November 2008, one thing is evident, the system which governs donations to ALL candidates and political parties is managed with a large dose of transparency. Any hint of a violation of the rules is met with a public inquiry. Based on the outcome, it can result in the political career of the candidate being flushed down the toilet or the reputation of the political party being sullied.
A research paper co-authored by well known Political Scientist Peter Wickham explains:
Research into the culture of political party financing reveals that there are no substantive regulations on political party financing in Barbados, however, the state does provide financial support to political parties through several mechanisms. One major source of funding is through the Parliament (Administration) Act 1989 (CAP. 10). This facility allows parliament to provide an annual subvention of BDS$300,000 which is shared among the political parties having a parliamentary presence. In addition, each constituency is entitled to an office and a stipend of BDS$750, as well as the provision of a constituency assistant attached to each Member of Parliament under the provisions of Section 10 of the Parliament (Administration) Act. Finally there is also a tax-incentive granted to Members of Parliament, which allows them to claim up to 5,000 annually or 10% of their Parliamentary salary (whichever is smaller) in respect of financial contributions to their political party.
However he is quick to caution …
there is no requirement or indeed any intention on the part of political parties to publicly disclose such details.Indeed, as has been stated by the BLP official, disclosure of financing is unheard of even within the upper echelons of the party itself, far less to the wider public. Parties are therefore unlikely to maintain records of party spending and financing in order to maintain the anonymity of party financiers and well-wishers. This leads one to conclude that the unregulated nature of political party financing in Barbados is a process generally shrouded in secrecy, a lack of transparency and accountability to the public at large.
Source: Political Party Campaigning Financing
The BU household is firmly of the view that major improvement is required to the existing system to ensure that the current abuse and manipulation of political campaign financing in Barbados is curtailed. It is not unreasonable to conclude that if the government of Barbados is responsible for issuing substantial contracts to the private sector that a system to prevent ‘undue influence” on any incumbent government becomes mandatory. The practices of the past have served us well but the advent of globalization has clearly demonstrated that it cannot be business as usual. International companies with deep pockets and our own barefoot politicians is a recipe for a level of skullduggery!
The need for a change to the rules governing political campaigning is glaringly evident if we try to explain the continued silence of Prime Minister Owen Arthur to the accusation that he accepted a ‘donation’ of $750,000.00 to his personal account at FCIB.
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