Parties told to submit returns

By Malum Nalu
Political parties are required to submit their 2016 annual returns to the Registry of Political Parties, Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu says.
He said yesterday that only four parties, including the ruling People’s National Congress, had submitted detailed reports.
The due date was March 31.
“This is the election year and everyone who is involved in the elections is preparing for the event,” Gelu said. “The political parties, who are the main players in the elections, have conducted their conventions and are putting their candidates and policies together.
“The Registry of Political Parties, however, would like to remind the political parties and the executives that they are still required to submit their 2016 annual returns to the registry. “The submission of the returns will enable the registry to fund the political parties as required by the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC),” Gelu said.
“I am happy that the ruling party is showing leadership to the smaller parties by way of compliance.
“Funding to the parties will be made before polling for the 2017 election.”