| A Parliamentary committee,Stitched NFL Jerseys Outlet, which did not benefit from the participation of opposition Parliamentarians,Jerseys For Sale, has agreed that all political parties contesting the 2011 national and regional elections, should report on their ‘Election Expenses’ in accordance with the existing laws.On April 28,China Stitched Jerseys, 2011, the National Assembly passed a resolution to set up a Special Select Committee to examine the existing laws and regulations regarding political parties’ electoral expenses, examine such legislation in other countries, and report back their findings to the National Assembly.Their report was presented last week. The Committee consisted of six Parliamentarians from the government side of the house; three Parliamentarians from the main opposition PNCR,Cheap Hockey Jerseys, and one member from the smaller opposition party, the AFC.According to the report, at the fifth meeting of the Committee, held on August 16, all the opposition members were absent. The report said that only Sheila Holder asked to be excused and Jon Austin of the PNCR-1G later verbally said that his party members would not be attending any meetings of the Committee during the Parliamentary recess period.Despite this, the government Parliamentarians continued to meet at the committee level and presented their report.The Committee agreed that the issue of political parties campaign financing was a very important one that Guyana should address as it continues to strengthen its Parliamentary democracy.The committee made no specific recommendations “due to the constraints” it faced, but it outlined some principles.The Committee concluded that the constitutional and legislative framework should be strong enough to ensure that political parties are not subjected to undue influence from stakeholders based on their financial or kind contributions.They added that political parties should protect their independence and not become subjected to any particular interests based on financial or other contributions;According to the Committee, the accountability of political parties as it relates to reporting campaign financing must be in compliance with the laws.The Committee also concluded that any formula designed to address the issue of political parties campaign financing, whilst taking into account the level of political development in the country and the constitutional framework, should allow for an affirmative action policy to ensure increased political participation and representation of women, youth ,Artie Burns Jersey,hinterland communities, disabled people, rather than being a disincentive to their increased participation as candidates in national, regional or local elections.According to the resolution passed in the National Assembly, Article 162 (1) (b) of the constitution directs the Guyana Elections Commission to issue such instructions and take such action as appear to be expedient to ensure impartiality,Cheap Falcons Jerseys For Sale, fairness and compliance with the provisions of the constitution on the part of persons performing duties connected with or relating to campaign financing.The resolution noted Guyana’s commitment to several international instruments and mandates for addressing the issue of political party campaign financing.Among these was the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad in April,Babe Ruth Jersey, 2009 where Caribbean leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering credibility and public trust in democratic institutions, in particular, the legitimacy of the electoral processes. |
