Political Parties May
Not Hold Foreign Bank
Accounts
A commission discussing
electoral reforms has
ratified at that
political parties cannot
open bank accounts
outside of Costa Rica.
The approved motion
prohibits political
parties from depositing
or receiving funds in
foreign accounts. If a
party is found to have
received funds in a
foreign account, the
party will be the
subject of an
investigation by the
Tribunal Supremo de
Elecciones (TSE).
Although the current
Código Electoral
(Elections Code)
prohibits parties the
holding of foreign
accounts, legislators of
the commission feel the
that more drastic
penalties are required
for those who violate
the law.
The only party to oppose
the motion was the
Movimiento Libertario
(ML). According to ML
legislator, Mario Núñez,
the proposal being
submitted to the
Legislature is excessive
and will result in
losses for parties and
civic participation.
Nunéz added that the
measures being adopted
by the Commission can
make it difficult for
political parties,
especially the newer
parties, to finance
themselves.
Legislators discussing
the reforms are keeping
in mind the 2002
presidential elections,
electionrs that saw the
Liberación Nacional and
the Unidad Social
Cristiana parties commit
irregularities with
financing their
respective campaigns.
To ensure that the 2002
irregularities are not
repeated in the 2010
presidential elections,
legislators will have to
approved the reforms by
not later than next
June. |
