Panday: UNC missed opportunity on campaign finance reform

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) political leader Mickela Panday says the UNC missed an opportunity to advance campaign finance reform while in government from 2010-2015.

She called upon the UNC to "stand in solidarity with us in demanding urgent campaign finance reform before the 2025 general election."

That election is constitutionally due by next August but the law allows it to be held as late as next November.

In a statement, Panday said, "Campaign financing is important in any democratic political process. It fuels the efforts of political parties and candidates to engage voters, present their policies, and ensure a vibrant democratic discourse."

But she warned, "However, without proper oversight, campaign financing can easily become a gateway for corruption, influence-peddling, and undue control over the governance of our country."

The PF, Panday continued, has consistently called for comprehensive campaign finance reform to ensure transparency and accountability.

"This is not merely a matter of good governance, it is about restoring public trust in the political system and ensuring that elected officials work for the people."

She said, "It is unfortunate that we missed a great opportunity to do so between 2010 and 2015 when the People’s Partnership government, led by the UNC held a constitutional majority with 29 seats to the PNM’s 12."

Panday added, "That was an opportunity to enact meaningful reforms, including campaign finance laws and repealing the Property Tax (Act). Regrettably, they failed to act. Instead, their tenure was marred by a lack of political will to address systemic issues like this one."

She said it is not too late to support campaign finance reform before the next election.

"This critical issue transcends partisan boundaries and is essential for restoring transparency, accountability, and trust in our democracy. This is not a matter of political convenience; it is a moral and democratic obligation."