Election 2000
Financial Interests must beRegistererd by Candidates
Candidates for the General Elections mustdeclare any financial interests that may influence their actionsif they are elected to the Legislative Assembly.
This is in accordance with the Register of Interests Law (1996),according to the Registrar of Interests, Mrs. Georgette Myrie.The main purpose of the register is to provide information ofany financial interest, or other material benefit, received byan elected member that might reasonably be thought by others toinfluence his or her actions, speech, or votes in the Assembly,or any actions taken in his or her capacity as a member.
In addition, the law extends to elected legislators; the Speakerof the House; the Chief Secretary; the Attorney General; the FinancialSecretary; the Registrar of Interests, and persons appointed toact in the absence of one of the specified officers. Where applicable,it also applies to the spouses and children of an officer or member.
The declarations must include all interests as on the day thedeclaration is made. If a beneficial interest is acquired afterward,candidates have 28 days in which to amend their submissions. Falsedeclarations are punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000.
On the registration form, candidates are asked to declare: directorships;remunerated employment, office or profession, etc.; paid employmentinvolving the provision of services that essentially depend uponor arise out of the person's position as a member of the LegislativeAssembly, including official members; sponsorships that exceededa total of $1,000; local or overseas gifts, benefits and hospitalityof a value greater than CI$175 or 0.5 percent of the current salaryof a legislator; overseas visits of which the cost was not entirelypaid by the candidate or through public funds; and holdings otherthan for the purposes of personal residences of the candidateand his or her family; and shareholdings.
Registration forms are available from the Legislative AssemblyBuilding. Declarations should be addressed to the Registrar ofInterests at the Legislative Assembly Building, P.O. Box 890GT.