Antigua and Barbuda
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes, above certain threshold
Comment
The anonymous donations allowed if they do not exceed 5,000 XCD. Source
(2) No political party shall accept any monetary or other contribution exceeding five thousand dollars unless it can identify the source of the money or other contribution to the Commission. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no reference in the Act to donations for candidates. Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The requirement for public media (and private as well) to be neutral in its reporting and provide equitable access to all political parties and independent candidates. Source
(2) The Commission shall, in allocating free time and space made available by the publicly owned media, take account of all relevant factors. (3) The Commission shall ensure that media organisations acknowledge their obligation to provide equitable access and opportunity to all political parties and independent candidates, (where applicable) without discrimination, to purchase space in newspapers and prime time on radio and television stations to promote their respective views during an election campaign period. Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002
|
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no reference in the Act to donations for candidates. Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no reference in the Act to political parties taking loans. Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
There is no reference in the Act to the candidates taking loans. Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
Code
No
Comment
The Act does not refer to the donors to political parties/candidates . Source
Source: Tenders Board Act, 1991 Source: Tenders Board (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties? |
Code
No public funding available
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Not applicable
|
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
BLANK Source
(2) The Commission shall, in allocating free time and space made available by the publicly owned media, take account of all relevant factors. Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Equal
Comment
BLANK Source
(2) The Commission shall, in allocating free time and space made available by the publicly owned media, take account of all relevant factors. Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
BLANK Source
(2) The Commission shall, in allocating free time and space made available by the publicly owned media, take account of all relevant factors. Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Right to use public school rooms for election meeting. Source
37. (1) Subject to this section, a candidate at an election is public school entitled, for purposes of holding a public meeting for promoting or procuring the election of a candidate, to the use at all reasonable times during the period commencing on the day on which the notice of election is given, and ending on the day preceding the day of election, of any suitable room in any public school situated within the constituency for which he is a candidate. Source: Section 37, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Comment
BLANK Source
(2) A person is guilty of bribery if he, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf (a) gives any money or procures any office to or for any voter or to or for any other person on behalf of any voter or to or for any other person in order to induce any voter to vote or refrain from voting; (b) corruptly does any such act as aforesaid on account of any voter having voted or refrained from voting; or (c) makes any such gift or procurement as aforesaid to or for any other person in order to induce that person to procure the return of any person at an election or the vote of any voter; or (d) if upon or in consequence of any such gift or procurement as aforesaid he procures or engages, promises or endeavours to procure the return of any person at an election or the vote of any person at an election or the vote of any voter. Source: Section 29, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
BLANK |
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities? |
Code
Yes, third parties banned from campaign spending
Comment
BLANK Source
(8) Where a person knowingly provides money for any payment which is contrary to the provisions of this Act, or for replacing any money expended in any such payment or expenses, except where the payment or the incurring of the expenses may have been previously allowed under this Act that person commits an offence. Source: Section 39, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 Source: Section 62, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2002, 2002 |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Every political party procuring the election of a candidate shall, within six weeks aftert the announcement of the results of the election, file a report of the contributions made by individuals and entities to the Commission. Report does not cover election campaign expenditures. Source
(1) Every political party shall keep an account book into which shall be recorded (a) all monetary and other forms of contributions received by him during an election. [...] (3) Every political party procuring the election of a candidate shall, within six weeks after the announcement of the results of the election, file a report of the contributions made by individuals and entities to the Commission. [...] (5) Every political party shall have its accounts audited within six months after an election that it contested. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
Code
Third parties are banned from participating in campaigns
Comment
BLANK Source
(8) Where a person knowingly provides money for any payment which is contrary to the provisions of this Act, or for replacing any money expended in any such payment or expenses, except where the payment or the incurring of the expenses may have been previously allowed under this Act that person commits an offence. Source: Section 39, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
The political parties need to record identity of the donors who contribute more than 25,000 XCD Source
(1) Every political party shall keep an account book into which shall be recorded [...] (b) the name and address of any person or entity who contributes any money or other thing which exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The political parties must report itemized income related to an election campaign. Source
(3) Every political party procuring the election of a candidate shall, within six weeks after the announcement of the results of the election, file a report of the contributions made by individuals and entities to the Commission. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
Code
No
Comment
BLANK Source
Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
EMB
Comment
BLANK Source
(3) Every political party procuring the election of a candidate shall, within six weeks after the announcement of the results of the election, file a report of the contributions made by individuals and entities to the Commission. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
EMB
Comment
BLANK Source
(4) Every political party shall grant to any officer of the Commission authorised in writing, access to examine the records and audited accounts kept by the political party in accordance with this section and, on request, shall give all such information as may be requested in relation to all contributions received by or on behalf of the party. (5) Every political party shall have its accounts audited within six months after an election that it contested. (6) The Commission shall impose a penalty of two thousand dollars a day on any party or organization who fails to comply with this section Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Request additional information from potential violator
Impose sanctions
Comment
BLANK Source
(4) Every political party shall grant to any officer of the Commission authorised in writing, access to examine the records and audited accounts kept by the political party in accordance with this section and, on request, shall give all such information as may be requested in relation to all contributions received by or on behalf of the party. (5) Every political party shall have its accounts audited within six months after an election that it contested. (6) The Commission shall impose a penalty of two thousand dollars a day on any party or organization who fails to comply with this section Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
Comment
BLANK Source
1) If a candidate who has been elected is reported by an election court personally guilty or guilty by his agents of any corrupt or illegal practice his election shall be void. Source: Section 65, Representation of the People Act, 1975
(3) A candidate or other person reported by an election court personally guilty of a corrupt practice shall for five years from the date of the report be incapable (a) of being registered as an elector or voting at any election in Antigua and Barbuda; (4) A candidate or other person reported by an election court personally guilty of an illegal practice shall for five years from the date of the report be incapable of being registered i as an elector or voting at any election held for or within the constituency for which it was held or for or within any constituency area wholly or partly within the area of the firstmentioned constituency as constituted for the purpose of the election. Source: Section 66, Representation of the People Act, 1975
(6) The Commission shall impose a penalty of two thousand dollars a day on any party or organization who fails to comply with this section. Source: Section 43, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, 2001 |
