THE PEOPLE'S National Party (PNP) says it has nothing to hide and is willing to make public a list of organisations and persons who funded the party's election campaign last year.

However, the PNP's intent to unveil the names of its financial backers will only materialise if the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) opens its books first.

Party President Portia Simpson Miller, speaking yesterday at a post-Budget press conference at the PNP's headquarters, in St Andrew, said she was ready to publish the names of companies or persons who provided financial support to the party's election campaign.

Waiting on JLP

"We will disclose any contribution from anyone, from any organisation, as soon as the JLP declare their contribution that they got in the election," said Simpson Miller.

Karl Samuda, general secretary of the JLP, said yesterday that his party would not be disclosing information relating to entities or individuals who funded the party's election campaign, last year.

He told The Gleaner that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has been charged with the responsibility of looking at the funding of political parties and campaign financing. He said until this process is completed, the JLP would not be disclosing the names of its financiers.

No sensationalism

"We are looking at all areas that can be addressed in our efforts to ensure that matters affecting the funding of campaigning are dealt with in a holistic way and in a comprehensive manner," Samuda commented. He added: "Until that process is completed we are not going to engage in any piecemeal approach or sensationalism."

Samuda said proposed legislation on campaign financing and the funding of political parties should be completed in time for the next general election.