How much money is actually spent on election campaigns in Guyana? Who’s managing the funds flowing into the accounts of the respective political parties? Who are the donors of these funds and what favours are expected from the party they support? No person in Guyana can begin to engage in an informed debate on the questions raised above since the data and relevant information needed does not exist, at least with the right authority, that is. Anyone concerned about preventing dirty money from corrupting the future leaders of tomorrow would agree that it is absolutely appalling that a country, which has attained independence over 50 years now, is still clutching to the pages of archaic campaign financing laws; laws which do not demand proper disclosure of who is funding these campaigns and by how much. Many of Guyana’s most influential minds have also spoken out against this sickening state of affairs. One such critic has been Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. The political activist is on the record as stating that the Government needs to move with some amount of urgency on campaign finance reform. His premise for making such a statement is based on the fact that over the next two years, Guyana will be hosting its Local Government Elections, which would be at the end of this year and its General and Regional Elections in 2020. The WPA Executive Member said that the issue of campaign finance is urgent, especially since oil money is coming. He said that businesses are always prepared to buy political access and decision-makers are always vulnerable. In this regard, he commented that experience in Guyana and other countries have taught many that they cannot depend on the integrity of politicians and parties. He said that checks and balances are therefore necessary to safeguard against the potential for indiscretion.
Dr. Hinds also stressed that if the Coalition Government is serious about turning a new page as far as cleaning up the cancer of corruption is concerned, it should act swiftly, even if it has to do so on its own and even if it has to disavow “bad eggs” in its own ranks. He said, “Failure to do so would hurt Guyana. Campaign finance legislation should expressly regulate financing to parties for elections. Legislation should aim to make elections a relatively low-cost activity and to take dirty money and other suspect sources of financing out of the system.” Dr. Hinds stated that parties should be mandated to disclose the sources of campaign funds and there should be stiff penalties if this is not adhered to. He said, too, that there should be a cap on such contributions, especially from corporate and commercial sources and rich individuals. “We are a small country. Our election campaigns should not cost as much as parties want to make us believe,” the WPA Executive Member said. Attorney-at-Law and Member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Mr. Nigel Hughes, is also on the record as stating his disgust for the manner in which campaign financing reform is being handled. Like Dr. Hinds, Hughes warned that oil companies could fund election campaigns in exercising leverage over the country’s political landscape. But in spite of spirited calls by the public, the Government remains unmoved.
EDITORIAL
