Opinion: Why Isn't The Electoral Commission of Jamaica Requiring That Contributions To Politically-Connected Foundations Be Declared?
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As of March 7, political parties and candidates would have been able to start accepting campaign donations for Jamaica’s next general election due by September 2025.
According to the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2016 (ROPA), not only are all candidates required to report contributions and expenditures of their campaigns, but contributors who donate $250,000 (US$1,728) or more or those who get government contracts at or above $500,000 (US$3,456) must also make a declaration.
However, the published guidance from the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) on March 4 merely stated that contributors are required to declare contributions “to a political party or candidate” without extending this requirement to the foundations of candidates or political parties.
This omission is concerning because since 2023, 18º North has been sounding the alarm that such foundations - often bearing charitable names - could be used as a loophole to bypass these reporting requirements.
