Montserrat’s 2024 Election Observation Mission Recommends Regulations to Govern Campaign Financing
Campaign financing is a major concern as it relates to transparency and accountability in Montserrat’s electoral process.
This was highlighted in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - British Islands and Mediterranean (CPA-BIM) Montserrat 2024 Election Observation mission’s recently-published final report.
The report revealed that political parties and independent candidates here operate without regulations governing campaign finance which allows unrestricted donations and expenditures, with no legal obligation to disclose funding sources or spending.
Speaking at the official launch of the final report, which included key recommendations, Head of the mission Hon Shellya Rogers-Webster says the absence of accountability measures leaves the system vulnerable to potential abuse and outside influence.
Despite the absence of these regulations, the mission reported no evidence of resources being misused during the most recent election.
The report calls for the introduction of legislation that requires political parties and candidates to timely disclose donations and expenditures, including all foreign donations, to restrict anonymous contributions.
However, Election Analyst Armin Rabitsch believes that in the face of transparency each political party or independent candidates should have an open bank account that is accessible to the media.
Meantime, Election Analyst Merce Castells says an oversight mechanism is also needed to ensure full transparency of campaign finances.