New Elections Law Prohibits Donations To
Political Candidates
It took only nine years but finally 45 of
the 49 legislators voted in favour of the
new Código Electoral (Elections Code) that
includes jail for political candidates who
receive campaign donations.
The no donations provisions also extends to
pre-candidates, members of executive
committees of the parties or any other
personwho receives grants.
The new elections law says that only
political parties, through their structure
and with the approval of the party treasurer
can receive donations.
The sanction for violating the donations
rule is a jail term of between two and six
years.
The threat of jail also extends to those
individuals and corporations who make
donations to political candidates. Article
274 of the new Código Electoral imposes a
sentence of two to four years to anyone who
contributes or makes any kind of donation to
a political candidate.
The new rules will be in effect for the 2010
presidential elections if Costa Rican
president, Oscar Arias, signs the law before
October 7, which is the official start date
of the 2010 presidential elections.
The legislators who voted in favour of the
new elections law said that this is the dawn
of a new political era in the country.
In addition to the no donations provisions,
the new elections law also removes the "ley
seca" (dry law) that prohibits the public
sale of liquor for the day before, during
and after the elections, as well the area
surrounding any public forum meeting during
an elections campaign.
The new elections law also provides changes
to financing municipal elections campaigns
and for Costa Ricans abroad being able to
vote. The last provision takes effect for
the 2014 presidential elections.
Supporters of the new law say that the
passing of the bill now give the Tribunal
Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) the bite it
needs to control elections irregularities.
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