Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney yesterday called on the government to bring a bill to Parliament that would govern the use of money in elections.
McCartney spoke in the context of the multiple allegations that have been tossed back and forth by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) over vote buying.
Most recently, Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell reported that he witnessed FNM operatives handing out envelopes containing $250 in the Centreville constituency several days before the May 7 general election.
"Commissioner of Police (Ellison) Greenslade ought to ensure that examples be made so that we can now start getting the electorate cognizant of consequences of accepting payments for votes," McCartney said.
"Your vote is significant. It should not be prostituted away. Many persons around the world do not have that right, but for some in The Bahamas it would seem that for a few pieces of silver the integrity of the vote can be compromised. I say prosecute."
McCartney noted that allegations of vote buying are nothing new in Bahamian elections.
"I think we deserve better because a party can become a government not because [it is] the best for the country, but because [it] had the money to give out at the right time as a voter told me a few weeks ago.
"That is a shame. We, as a people deserve better and must move beyond this type of scenario occurring in the future."
McCartney said there could be undue influence on the political system by unregulated donations from private sources, foreign investors and/or large companies.
"When parties receive secret donations to get elected, the question of returning the favor must inevitably be in their minds on taking office," he said. "Consequently, the interests of those who are less fortunate is not taken into account.
"Indeed, the process of contributions to political parties should be more transparent and the amount of monies parties are allowed to spend ought to be determined. Disclosure of donors should be made mandatory and penalties ought to be enforced should parties not comply."
This issue of campaign finances has been discussed on and off on the national scene for years.
In 2006, former Attorney General Paul Adderley said The Bahamas had been "severely influenced" by money in politics for more than 100 years, and it was time somebody did something about it.
"We're trying to do something about the influence that rich men can have or try to have over politicians. Don't let us fool around with this one in terms of what we're trying to do," said Adderley, who at the time headed the Christie-appointed Constitutional Review Commission.
Adderley's commission lost its life under the Ingraham administration, but had recommended that Parliament prescribe controls and limits over donations to political parties, candidates and political campaign expenditure to ensure transparency and accountability in local and national elections.
The need to reform campaign finances is something that officials from both major political parties seem to agree on.
In 2006, former FNM leader and Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, said, "I believe we ought to begin steps to move toward some sort of campaign finance reform. I think there ought to be some transparency and accountability with respect to how political parties receive funding."
While former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham acknowledged the incredible expenses associated with elections in The Bahamas, money in politics was not an issue he addressed through legislation.
Prime Minister Perry Christie has previously said he supports campaign finance reform.

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