Corruption Hurts.

This is the message circulating the airwaves in Kingston ahead of elections expected to take place before the end of the year or in early 2012.

The intersection of corruption and politics has, in recent years, become cause for concern in the island nation where politics dominate public life and election fervor is easily generated by an engaged electorate.

In 2010, a web of ties between political parties and organized crime syndicates was uncovered, prompting the mobilization of civil society under a common cause – the reduction of political corruption.

Reform of the funding of political parties and candidates is on the horizon as a result of collaboration between political parties, the Election Commission of Jamaica, lawmakers, civil society and the international community. These reforms, if passed, will impose regulations on political party funding for the first time. Existing legislation applies only to candidates and is limited in scope.

In the meantime – Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), a nationally recognized election observation organization in Jamaica, is raising awareness about political finance and building the capacity of their volunteers with technical assistance from IFES and funding provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Traditionally, trained CAFFE volunteers have observed the elections on voting day. Recent campaign finance efforts emphasize longer term monitoring by a specially trained group within CAFFE’s ranks.

On October 30, CAFFE led a session in Port Antonio, the capital of Portland Parish, situated along the northeast coast of Jamaica.

In this rural area, known primarily for the production of fruit and coffee, a group of women gathered at the local high school to discuss the new legislation and their own understanding of the challenges related to money in politics.

A long term goal is to establish core groups of 10 volunteers per constituency prepared to monitor campaign finance in future elections.

During the discussion, the volunteers discussed the idea of establishing a national campaign fund for candidates.

Contributions to the fund by individuals and groups without a preference for a candidate or political party would be divided proportionally among candidates based on votes won.

By the end of the session, a lexicon of political terminology unique to Jamaica had been covered.

“Curry goat” politics refers to the popular campaign event held during election season where curry goat and rum may be distributed by candidates at local public gatherings, illustrating the mechanics of campaigning in Jamaica.

A date for the General Elections is expected to be announced at any minute. Sixty seats in Jamaica’s House of Representatives are at stake.

While the enactment of campaign finance legislation will likely take place following Election Day, the PNP and the JLP have agreed to voluntarily comply with some campaign finance measures in the upcoming election.