Caption: Chairperson of the Commonwealth observer team Evarist Bartolo, centre, calls for better campaign finance regulations during a press conference at the Hilton Trinidad. AZP News/Alicia Chamely

By Alicia Chamely

THERE  is an urgent need for regulations and financing of political parties and their campaigns.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the day after elections, at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre, Port of Spain, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) Evarist Bartolo said recommendations made 10 years ago about the issue of campaign financing have been largely ignored.

Bartolo said, “The group notes the limited regulatory framework for campaign finance. We reiterate the 2015 Commonwealth Observers Group statement ‘that the EBC is reflecting on proposals to regulate registration and campaign financing of political parties’ 10 years ago the COG recommended that, ‘the incoming Parliament, political parties and all relevant stakeholders prioritise this process.’ This has become more urgent.”

He said, “If we do not regulate campaign financing, we do not have democracies anymore, we have plutocracies. Instead of voters what counts is what donors give. And democracy is being threatened worldwide.”

Bartolo said he had met with both major parties, who had various excuses as to why no such regulations had been in place since they were first recommended.

He said, “Let me be blunt, it is interesting in this case that both major parties here seem to agree not to put it in the agenda.”

Bartolo said for the preservation of democracy the media and the population needed to demand these regulations be put in place.

He said, “Main political parties do not have interest, it’s important for the citizens to put pressure.”