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OPA: Less than 10 have filed campaign finance reports
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Posted on Dec 20 2005
Less than 10 candidates have submitted statements of account for the recently concluded election season, according to the Office of the Public Auditor.
The deadline for filing of campaign finance reports is Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005.
“Fewer than 10 candidates have filed, as of today,” public auditor Michael Sablan said. Political parties are expected to be the last ones to file, he added.
Each political party or candidate is aware of the deadline, restrictions, requirements, and penalties involved in filing campaign finance reports, Sablan said.
OPA, he noted, conducted over 10 presentations on election and ethics laws in all three islands during the election season. The agency also published a campaign finance reporting guide earlier this year.
Those who need more information or assistance in filing their statement of account may go to OPA, he added.
“We are ready, willing and able to provide assistance to parties or candidates who need it. We have notaries public available and we have a staff knowledgeable about the requirements. Several [candidates] have come in [seeking help] already,” Sablan said.
There was one candidate who failed to submit a campaign finance report last election. The Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against him.
Several candidates were also late in submitting their reports on the political contributions received in the 2003 election. Each of them was assessed a $100 fine for each calendar day that their submission was late.
According to Sablan, those who will not be able to meet the Dec. 27 deadline should request an extension from the Commonwealth Election Commission on or before that date.
“They can’t come in to request an extension after the deadline has expired,” Sablan said.
There were 105 candidates who ran for office in the Nov. 5, 2005 election. This includes 29 candidates from the Republican Party, 27 from the Covenant Party, 13 from the Democratic Party, 13 independent candidates, and 23 non-partisan candidates.
