Council for Responsible Political Behaviour makes plea for funding

POLITICAL analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath says since 2016, the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour has operated with a total budget of $75,000.

Despite this, Ragoonath told journalists at a workshop on August 8 that the council had enough money to continue minimal operation until the end of 2025.

Ragoonath, who heads the council, was speaking during the Enhancing Ethical and Effective Coverage workshop, hosted by the Media Institute of the Caribbean, the British High Commission Port of Spain and the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

The code was first drafted and developed by by RC Archbishop Joseph Harris, designed to have political parties observe civilised, integrity-filled conduct during their campaigning.

It was later endorsed by five political parties, namely the Congress of the People, the People’s National Movement, the Independent Liberal Party, the United National Congress and the Movement for Social Justice.

Fifty thousand dollars was donated by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and $25,000 was given to by late leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj.

Ragoonath said the seed money was used primarily for the payment of web hosting, annual registration and other limited expenses such as travel and reimbursement to the recording secretary.

He said in 2020, the council held two workshops for secondary school students and would like to have workshops in Tobago, but said the council simply had no money to do so.

He said the remaining funds would only be able to cover registration, website and e-mail accounts until 2025. Stressing the urgency of funds to keep the council afloat, he called on traditional media to publish the code and its media releases when sent.

“There seems to be a general lack of awareness of the code. Bear in mind, we are in moral suasion, and if that falls, we go to name and shame. Media houses have a role in getting the message out.”

Ragoonath stressed the need for public education on the role and functions of the council and called for help with technical support, saying the council members were not tech-savvy.

The council’s code aims to improve integrity in political campaigning by addressing issues such as misuse of state resources and unaccounted election spending.

He said while the code was a positive step, it was not legally binding and lacked measures on campaign finance reform. There have been calls for the code to be made law, with penalties for violations.

Elections and Boundaries CEO Fern Narcis-Scope, who also attended the workshop, urged Ragoonath to continue advocating for the council’s code to be enshrined in legislation.

She said in the context of modern and enhanced democracy, adopting a code of ethics in politics is crucial, and the council’s work is a valuable initiative.

“Your organisation should continue to advocate for and articulate the need for this to become legislation. Moral suasion is not enough, legislation is the way to go.”

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