Darrell Bradley Drafts Up Campaign Financing Legislation

Darrell Bradley

Bradley’s draft is patterned along U.S. legislation, but incorporates laws in other countries. It contemplates that foreign nationals should be prohibited from financing campaigns in other jurisdictions. Bradley says that in instances where it happens, it is safe to say that there is a quid pro quo or a vested interest. 

Darrell Bradley, Attorney at law

“This is a draft and it specifically does not include the Belizeans in our diaspora community. So that there are a lot of Belizean Americans or Belizean Canadians, Belizeans who live in Europe, who would want to fund political campaign. The important feature here is though that you would disclose it. But there is a section which that deals with prohibited contributors. So certain people like a contractor, like somebody who is a regulated entity in certain circumstances, like somebody who really doesn’t have any interest in our elections—like a foreign national, who has no connection with Belize.”

Marleni Cuellar, Host, Open Your Eyes

“…or has a questionable reason as to why they would be interested.”

Darrell Bradley

“Yeah. So, for example, like somebody in this case of John Saldivar, that person, under this legislation, would be disqualified from giving a contribution. Because why is it that you giving to our local politicians?  You have no vested interest in our politics. And even if you give, which is illegal, you would have had to report that contribution.”