#Jamaica, December 13, 201 – Kingston – Registration of political parties will begin on January 2 next year, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced.  In a Statement to the House on Wednesday (December 6), the Prime Minister informed that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is to formally start the registration process on this date, in keeping with the Political Parties Registration Regulations, 2017.

The Regulations, which falls under the Representation of the People Act, provides a framework for the registration and deregistration of political parties, and also facilitates a system whereby an accurate and up-to-date record can be kept on each political party.

In addition, the Prime Minister informed that amendments to the Act, which deal with campaign financing, will come into effect on March 1, 2018, and that the Campaign Finance Regulations, 2017 will also come into effect on that date.   The Representation of the People Act provides for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties.   The legislation makes it mandatory for a political party to be registered if it is going to contest an election.

It also deals with how individuals and organisations can contribute to political parties and candidates, and stipulations regarding the disclosure of the contributions as well as penalties for false and non-disclosures.

Release: JIS