In a recent press conference, Aubrey Norton, Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), emphasized the necessity of maintaining donor confidentiality in election campaign finance reporting. Despite the Representation of the People Act mandating political parties to submit post-election financial reports to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Norton argued that such disclosures could deter potential donors who fear government retribution. He highlighted the need for campaign financing reforms that ensure donor anonymity, stating, ‘Many contributors explicitly do not want their identities publicized due to societal fears of government.’ Norton also questioned the historical adherence to these reporting requirements, suggesting that new laws should be developed with stakeholder involvement to guarantee confidentiality. He further criticized Guyana’s state-dominated economy, noting that the government is the primary allocator of resources, with limited private sector activity. The United States-based Carter Center has urged all political parties to comply with the Representation of the People Act, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Other international observer missions have echoed these concerns, particularly regarding the misuse of state resources during election campaigns.
Election campaign finance reporting must prohibit disclosure of donors- Norton
