As the election season intensifies, political parties are being urged to verify persons or organizations that donate to their election campaigns.

According to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), this is important as the unregulated flow of money into campaigns often has negative consequences.

Among these are the risk that those who donate funds will control the elected representatives they finance and the risk that dirty or illicit money will corrupt the system and undermine the rule of law.

Speaking at an election campaign financing webinar this morning, Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance at the ECJ Fernell Daley, said if political parties cannot verify the donors, they should arrange to have the funds transmitted to the Accountant General’s Department.

She explained that this can be done after the necessary forms are completed and submitted.