Calls to account for political party funding
March 08, 2010
THE more than N$156 million the taxpayer will fork out between 2009 and 2012 to finance local political parties is veiled in secrecy, as all efforts have fallen flat to force these parties to be accountable, a workshop to promote transparency in political finance was told on Friday.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Campaign and political party funding in Mozambique
July 05, 2010
In the run-up to the 2009 elections in Mozambique, the NIMD Field Office in Maputo, with funding from the British High Commission BHC, embarked on an inter-party dialogue project. Due to the success of the meetings held between the political parties, the electoral commission and other electoral stakeholders, it was decided to continue the dialogue sessions in 2010.
Chin political parties face financial problems
August 25, 2010
Chin political parties keen on contesting the elections on November 7 in Burma are struggling with financial constraints to fund its candidates for contesting the elections. The Election Commission of Burma has to be given Kyat 5 lakhs for each candidate.
Commentary: The urgent imperative of political financing reform in the Caribbean
August 30, 2010
During the last five years, the Organization of American States (OAS) has observed no fewer than fifty elections in its member states. A reoccurring theme in the run up to these elections has been campaign finance. As in other parts of the world, in most countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, money does not guarantee an electoral victory, but it is essential to be competitive. Politicians and citizens alike complain about the prohibitive cost of campaigns and watchdog organizations warn about the lack of transparency in raising very large sums of money. The absence of meaningful legislation in this arena has contributed to the public’s growing disenchantment with politics, primarily -- and most perniciously -- among the youth of the region. Campaign financing is vigorously debated before and during an election, but dropped almost as soon as the ballots are counted. If left unattended, though, this issue will continue to erode the credibility of elections and the political parties that compete in them.
Courts take on campaign finance decision
March 26, 2010
WASHINGTON Two federal courts here issued decisions on Friday addressing the impact of Citizens United, Januarys big Supreme Court campaign finance ruling, on a new issue whether the government may constitutionally restrict the size of contributions to groups that spend money to support political candidates.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Democrats push to require campaign disclosure
April 12, 2010
WASHINGTON The White House and leading Democrats in Congress are close to proposing legislation that would force private companies and groups to disclose their behind-the-scenes financial involvement in political campaigns and advertising, officials involved in the discussions said Monday.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Despite BP corporate code firm has made political contributions
June 30, 2010
BP, the global energy corporation whose massive oil spill is fouling huge swaths of the Gulf of Mexico, proclaims in its corporate code of conduct that it will "make no political contributions, whether in cash or in kind, anywhere in the world."
EC move for party finance transparency
August 10, 2010
The Election Commission are considering changing the election rules to ensure greater transparency in the income and expenditure of political parties, a commissioner has said.
EC to set up panel to monitor expenditure
March 29, 2010
NEW DELHI: In the wake of the controversy over Mayawati's cash garland, the Election Commission will set up an 'expenditure monitoring division' to be manned by I-T officials to maintain expenditure statements of parties and candidates and take follow-up action.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
GOP bringing in the bucks for House elections
August 25, 2010
This week, the top Republican in the House, Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio), pledged that the party would spend $50 million assisting House candidates in the midterm elections. The National Republican Congressional Committee has been outraising its Democratic counterpart for the past four months and is raising far more than in the last election cycle. Last month, it brought in $8.6 million, compared with $6.2 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Group monitors election spending
February 18, 2010
WITH no politician ever prosecuted for violating the limits on election spending, a group advocating campaign-finance regulation in the country urged the citizens to do their part in reporting those violating the said law.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Group says now is time for public financing push
July 08, 2010
Two interest groups plan to spend as much as $15 million this year on a nationwide campaign in favor of new public-financing legislation aimed at limiting the influence of wealthy donors and large corporations in congressional races.
House passes campaign finance disclose act
June 25, 2010
The House passed campaign finance legislation known as the Disclose Act Thursday, despite controversy last week over the bill's exempting some large organizations like the National Rifle Association.
How rotten is France's Politics?
July 09, 2010
Claims of corrupt links between a French billionaire and top politicians have not just shaken Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency - they have revived deeply held suspicions that something is rotten in the state of France.
In black caucus, a fund-raising powerhouse
February 14, 2010
WASHINGTON When the Congressional Black Caucus wanted to pay off the mortgage on its foundations stately 1930s redbrick headquarters on Embassy Row, it turned to a familiar roster of friends: corporate backers like Wal-Mart, AT&T, General Motors, Coca-Cola and Altria, the nations largest tobacco company.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Money screams
June 10, 2010
CALIFORNIA made political history this week. For the first time its Republican voters nominated a woman for governor and another woman for senator. But they also broke a less savoury record. Money was arguably a bigger factor in the Californian primaries, held on June 8th, than in any other comparable election.
Online political campaigning: no rules or cap on costs
April 08, 2010
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may be keeping tab on political ads in the broadcast and print media, but so far it has refrained from issuing guidelines on online campaigning. This has helped create a digital free-for-all among candidates in the upcoming polls who have made the so-called New Media yet another battleground for votes.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Only 308 donors funded campaign for presidency
July 20, 2010
AS A veteran fund-raiser for presidential candidates tells it, there are fewer awkward moments in the campaign than a meeting between the candidate and a potential donor, especially if they are seeing each other for the first time.
Putin tops Medvedev in pay
April 13, 2010
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made more money than President Dmitry Medvedev last year, but both leaders were far out-earned by Natural Resources Minister Yury Trutnev and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin, according to official records released Monday.
Political Finance,
Rule of Law
Two and a half percent and no more
July 25, 2010
THE Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), in a ground-breaking achievement, has agreed on what should be the cap on the amount of money individuals or groups can contribute to the operations of political parties.