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Deadline nears for filing of contribution reports
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Posted on Dec 18 2005
Only one week remains for political parties and candidates who participated in the Nov. 5 general election to submit their campaign finance reports.
Each party or candidate must file a statement of account showing details of any contribution worth at least $100 that they received during the election period.
The deadline is Dec. 27, or 50 days after the election.
Those who cannot meet the deadline may file a written request with the Commonwealth Election Commission for a 15-day extension. However, the candidate must have an approved extension by Dec. 27 to avoid a penalty.
A $100 fine may be assessed against a candidate for each calendar day that his or her report is late. Any candidate who refuses to file a campaign financial report may be fined up to $50,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
According to the Office of the Public Auditor, contributions include any monetary or in-kind support issued to a candidate to advance his political bid.
Election law prohibits anonymous contributions. Any candidate who receives an anonymous contribution is required to turn the contribution over to the Commonwealth Treasurer for deposit into the CNMI general fund.
A candidate may retain excess campaign funds in a designated bank account for use in future elections or campaigns. A candidate who uses these funds for having post-election meetings, rallies, or parties must file an amended campaign statement of account to report the expenses incurred.
All political contributions should be used for campaign and election purposes only. They should not be used for personal benefit. (Agnes E. Donato)
