PHILIPSBURG:--- The information session held on Wednesday night at the University of St. Martin (USM) for political candidates received a very poor turn out.
Information that was shared on Wednesday night was to inform all candidates that are contesting the 2014 Parliamentary Elections how they need to document their finances which has to be submitted to the Electoral Council by the end of September 2014 (one month after the August 29th election).
Speakers at the information session said that political candidates have to document all donations they receive. Donations amounting to or exceeding Naf. 5.000.00 can only be given by Dutch citizens, or persons residing on the island for more than five years. Candidates have to ensure that they check to see if the persons that make donation to them are registered at the census office, their nationality and how long non Dutch citizens are residing on the island.
Candidates that violate the law can face fines as high as Naf. 10,000.00, they can be held punishable by law since the Electoral Law is part of the penal code. Candidates that are elected to Parliament can also risk losing their seat if they make false declarations. Prior to swearing in as a Member of Parliament all persons that are elected on August 29th 2014 have to sign a sworn declaration that the information they provide to the Electoral Council is truthful. If it turns out that these candidates provided false or insufficient information to the Electoral Council then they will face the reprecussions laid down in the law.
The finances or donations received must be filled in on a special form issued by the Electoral Council. This the speakers said is to ensure that everything is done in a professional and orderly manner.
The Electoral Council will hold a separate session for political parties after August 29th since political parties have until April 1st 2015 to submit their financial statements and other information to the Electoral Council.
