Deadline for filing campaign financial reports in Dec. 27

Political parties and candidates who participated in the 2005 general election have a month to file their campaign financial reports.

Election law requires candidate to file a statement of account showing details of any contribution worth at least $100 that they received during the election period. The itemized statement should include the specific source, names of contributors, and amount of contributions and expenses.

This statement should be filed 50 days after the election. This year, the deadline is Dec. 27.

The Commonwealth Election Commission may extend the deadline by up to 15 days upon written request from the candidate. But the candidate must have an approved extension by Dec. 27 to avoid a penalty.

A candidate will be assessed a penalty of $100 for each calendar day the report is late. Any candidate who refuses to file a campaign financial report may be fined up to $50,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

Contributions include any monetary or in-kind support issued to a candidate to advance his political bid.

Election law prohibits anonymous contributions. Any candidate who receives an anonymous contribution is required to turn the contribution over to the Commonwealth Treasurer for deposit into the CNMI general fund.

A candidate may retain excess campaign funds in a designated bank account for use in future elections or campaigns. A candidate who uses these funds for having post-election meetings, rallies, or parties must file an amended campaign statement of account to report the expenses incurred.

All political contributions should be used for campaign and election purposes only. They should not be used for personal benefit.

Earlier this month, the OPA released its findings on a review of campaign statements of account filed by candidates and political parties who took part in the 2003 elections.

According to OPA, a number of candidates who participated in the 2003 general and special elections failed to comply with the election law and regulations in the filing of campaign statements of accounts—some because of their own fault and others due to misunderstanding of the laws and regulations.

OPA’s review covered 33 of the 66 candidates who ran for a seat in the Legislature and all the recognized participating political parties.

“Generally, OPA found that one candidate had failed to file the required CSA; candidates may be using campaign funds for personal expenses; candidates are not identifying, by name, supporters and contributors whose aggregate contribution is over $100; and supporting documentation for most of the CSAs was inadequate. OPA also found that two political parties submitted three CSAs each—one for Tinian and one for Rota; some containing no data,” a summary of OPA’s findings read.

It added, “OPA believes that most of what it found is the result of a lack of understanding of the Election Law, CEC regulations, and/or guidelines. OPA is making recommendations and suggestions designed to clarify the law, regulations and guidelines which may result in more complete and accurate campaign statements of account.” (Agnes E. Donato)