Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Chairman of the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC), Prof. Errol Miller, emphasises a point while addressing journalists at a press conference at the EAC's offices on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. Independent member of the EAC, Dr. Herbert Thompson, looks on. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The selected members of the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) have dismissed claims that the advisory body was not moving expeditiously to deal with the issue of campaign financing.

A lengthy debate in the Senate on a private member's motion addressing campaign financing last Friday has irked the group, which claims that this was given priority over a crucial bill to establish the Electoral Commission.

The Interim Electoral Reform Act has been languishing on the table of the Senate since September 29. The House gave the bill the nod on September 26.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the EAC's Old Hope Road offices in St. Andrew, Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Error Miller, urged the Senate to debate the Interim Electoral Reform Act this Friday.

Party eligibility

The proposed Electoral Commis-sion will, among other things, approve political parties eligible to receive state funding; administer electoral funding and financial disclosure requirements as well as monitor election expenditure by candidates or their official agents.

Making a plea for the bill to be given priority, Professor Miller said the Representation of the People (Interim Electoral Reform) Act was passed in 1979, with a view to establishing the commission.

He contended that 27 years have elapsed and the Interim Act should now be brought to an end.

Declaring that the selected members of the EAC were "perplexed" at the decision to debate the motion on political party campaign financing, Prof. Miller said the group wished to dispel any impression that may have been given that the EAC was not moving apace on the matter.

"We are befuddled as to why that debate should take precedence over the commission," said Professor Miller.

Recommendations

Government Senator Prof. Trevor Munroe, piloting a motion on campaign financing on September 15, called on the EAC to submit a report containing recommendations from its July conference on political financing to Parliament within two weeks.

He also urged Government to facilitate parliamentary debate and legislative action on the EAC's recommendations.

Meanwhile, the selected members of the EAC are also raising questions about the need for any urgency in debating the Private Member's Bill in the House on the registration and funding of political parties. This was piloted by Independent MP, Abe Dabdoub.

Prof. Miller said the main political parties have reached agreement on a number of proposals addressing campaign financing. He noted that the EAC would be submitting a full report to Parliament that encompasses provisions in the Private Member's Bill.

He explained that the EAC report would recommend the revision and expansion of the Representation of the People Act.

Making specific reference to contributions from overseas corporations to local political groups, the EAC Chairman said although this matter had not been examined by the committee, it would form part of future recommendations from the Commission, when established.

The issue of campaign financing has gained traction in recent weeks, with the scandal dogging the governing People's National Party after it was revealed by the parliamentary Opposition that it had accepted a $31 million "donation" from Dutch oil company, Trafigura.