Importation of election vehicles now approved
published: Sunday | July 16, 2006

Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

THE GOVERNMENT is providing duty-free facilities to both major political parties to import 100 vehicles each into the island in time for election campaigning, giving up a total of more than $163 million in revenue.

It is not the first time that the Government is granting concessions to both major political parties. In 2002, both parties were allowed to import 100 vehicles each with duty-free concession value capped at US$20,000.

The Ministry of Finance and Planning has given the green light for both parties to access the concession, and to date, at least one political party has taken steps to import vehicles.

General Secretary of the People's National Party (PNP), Colin Campbell, said the party sent a team to Japan to identify a fleet of vehicles to be brought into the island for the upcoming general election.

He told The Gleaner that the team has returned to the island and is expected to submit a report to him shortly.

Both major political parties are on high alert for national elections with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) set to kick off its election campaign by the end of the month, while there are indications that the election machinery of the ruling PNP is about to get into gear.

Political parties contesting the upcoming general election, which is constitutionally due in 2007, are allowed duty-free concession based on the performance of such parties in the last election. The following criteria should be met:

Any party which gained more than 20 per cent of the popular vote (a major party) - 100 vehicles: one for each constituency (a maximum of 60) and 40 to be used by central organisation.

Any party which gained between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of the popular vote - 50 per cent of the allocation of a major party.

Any party gaining between five per cent and 10 per cent of the popular vote - 25 per cent of the allocation for a major party.

Any party gaining less than five per cent of the popular vote - no allocation.

Meanwhile, the duty-free concession value will be capped as follows:

Sixty vehicles not exceeding US$6,000 FOB - (freight on board).

Twenty vehicles not exceeding US$15,000 FOB.

Twenty vehicles not exceeding US$30,000 FOB.

The political parties must submit a list of the vehicles they intend to import to the Ministry of Finance setting out details of the vehicle together with a pro forma invoice; the name(s) of the person or persons who will be using the vehicle; and a letter from the party's general secretary requesting the concession.