Warner tells UNC not to use party $$ for private campaigns

Jack Warner wrote the general secretary of the United National Congress (UNC) Friday cautioning Fazal Karim about the use of party funds for the January 24, 2010 internal election.

He said he is aware that "certain aspirants have begun to utilize the party’s funds and resources for personal gain".

The UNC deputy leader while each candidate running for office is entitled to raise funds for his or her individual campaigns through all lawful means, "the use of funds of the UNC for private and personal campaigns should be strictly prohibited".

He reminded Karim that the party’s funds exist "for use in promoting the aims, objectives and aspirations of the UNC and its membership and not those of any private individual or office holder wishing to contest an internal election."

The Chaguanas West MP said party funds must not be used for campaign material such as fliers, pamphlets, signs and t-shirts or for holding meetings and other forms of campaigning.

Warner pointed out that when the political leader launched his campaign at the party's Monday Night Forum (MNF) this week he used the opportunity to openly condemn, denounce and criticise those whom he perceived to be detractors.

"He was therefore campaigning using the funds which belong to our membership. The MNF which is broadcast on several radio stations is a paid-for event of the UNC. It is not paid for by any party member or official.

"This was therefore an immoral and illegal use of the party’s finances for private campaigning and for attacking the character of other prospective candidates.

"The MNF is a platform that was conceptualized to deal with national issues and to highlight PNM’s incompetence. It is not a platform for individuals to launch private campaigns for the party’s internal election," Warner stated.

He called on the general secretary and the Elections Supervisor "to immediately engage the attention of all candidates on this primary and relevant ground rule".

He also called on the UNC treasurer to ensure that the party’s funds are not compromised and that the money not be used for any private campaign.

"That being the case, if the treasurer himself is a candidate in the internal election, then he must vacate this position and have the funds vested in independent persons," he said.

Warner also asked for the the treasurer to provide before the election a full statement accompanied by bank records of the party’s account to show that there has been no breach of the party's policy with regard to campaigning for the election.

"I trust that you do see the wisdom in adopting this approach since we cannot aspire to governance if we are incapable of ensuring that our party’s funds are not misused and or abused," he said.