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Residents want campaign financing transparency
“I voted yes, mine was mixed, I looked at the people and not a party but one thing that bothered me throughout this process was how lot of people were manipulated and coerced into throwing their support to some parties, one in particular because they used the ‘Demon’ money,” said Ms T. Mayeo-Lettsome.
According to Ms Mayeo-Lettsome and several others who shared this very concern with this news site, the extent of small project works that were being done during the period of and shortly before the June 8, 2015 national elections was abused by the government of that day.
“What I am saying is that the government while doing what they were put in office to do, they manipulated the heads of the grassroot people by holding on to what money they had and throwing it out just at that time.”
Act of deception
Another resident shared a similar view but likened the last minute rush to execute projects as an act of deception.
“Look what’s happening now, almost nothing and lot of those small projects are left in the half. Why can we see the same hurry to get these projects completed, what will happen is that close to the next elections period they are going to be hurrying to complete those very project, nothing new will be done before and they will once again trick the small man with a few dollars,” added Mr Lesmore G. Vanterpool another resident.
“Look the bottom line is that there should be some mechanism in place that they, the general public especially voters, can see what is government works and what is campaign works. What went on was a total abuse of government funds and that’s the bottom line, not a cent came out their own pockets, lots of it was taxpayers dollars and the others were the rich dumping cash at them and to my mind that can be categorised as money laundering,” added Mr Vanterpool.
As previously reported on this news site, the Commonwealth Observer Mission (COM) was repeatedly told that parties or candidates were receiving large donations from business entities, underlining the need for greater transparency in campaign financing.
The mission said the legal framework lacks regulation on campaign financing both for donations and spending.
During the campaign At Large Candidate Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru had alluded to the fact that some parties had the power of money that outshone the campaigning of others. He too had called for this account process to be tightened via legislation as it related to candidates/parties accounting for the source of the money they spend during elections campaign.
Campaign financing
Political campaigns have many expenditures, such as the cost of travel of candidates and staff, political consulting, and/or the direct costs of communicating with voters.
According to Wikipedia, although the political science literature indicates that most contributors give to support parties or candidates with whom they are already in agreement, there is wide public perception that donors expect illegitimate government favours in return (such as specific legislation being enacted or defeated), so some have come to equate campaign finance with political corruption and bribery. These views have led some governments to reform fundraising sources and techniques in the hope of eliminating perceived undue influence being given to monied interests.
Another tactic is for the government, rather than private individuals and organisations, to provide funding for campaigns. Democratic countries have differing regulations on what types of donations to political parties and campaigns are acceptable.
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33 Responses to “Residents want campaign financing transparency”
Meanwhile governor Duncan has promised that: "the days of Backdoor Deals and Obscure Decisions are a thing of the past". He couldn't make that statement unless it came to his attention.
Th Election Observers, in their preliminary report complained about being warned about big money being donated to political parties; thus their mentioning our lack of a "Framework" on Campaign Finance and Spending.
Again and again, if we truly live in a Democracy, why there are those who want us to just shut up and get over it?
Whether one is with the winning or loosing party, they have a right to add their voices to the mix, if they see or feel that something went wrong with the political process..
It is so very, very clear that money and contracts were heavily involved with the elections. First, nothing happened for 3.5 years, while many suffered financially. The same Julian Frazer, now being seen as unfit to be Premier, had been calling on Dr. Olando for much of 2013-2014 to stimulate the economy by spending some money on needed projects. Every time he called on th Doc, the NDP folks referred to him as having no ideas and that he just wanted to spend, spend. Now, who with a sound working memory can recall a time in our political history, when we spent upwards of $18-million on consultants, in such a short space of time? Can anyone recall a time, (during an election year), this massive amount of dollars being spent?, these amounts of projects and contracts taking place?
I am now in my middle 60s ..and as hard as I try, I am like Oliver North. I can't recall.
IT 'DON'T' MATTER NDP, VIP..LMNOP...WE NEED TO HOLD ALL OF THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
Unfair that decernt people must be left out because of their honesty and integrity.
Bull shit is that... I can go on and on...,SO what finance u need to KNOW!!!!!!!!!!/...VEX at U taking Piss
I guess the VIP only had enough money to buy votes in the 1st and 3rd districts this time around. My understanding, based on these articles/bloggers/voices, is that the BVI Voters should be ashamed! We have all allowed the NDP to fool us into voting for them with their big posters. I am officially an idiot who is unable to think for myself. Is it just me or is all of this just ridiculous? The election is over...