Most Jamaicans feel that political candidates should make the source of their campaign funds public, according to a recent Gleaner poll.

The campaigns by competing parties in the elections, are viewed by some persons as being elaborate and expensive and questions have been raised as to the source of the campaign funds and whether there should be open declaration of the sources.

In the latest poll conducted by Don Anderson and his team of pollsters on behalf of the Gleaner, just over half of the persons interviewed were of the view that candidates in the forthcoming 1997 elections, should advise the public as to the source of the funds for their respective campaigns.

The poll was conducted over the period November 26 to December 3 and involved a total of 1,000 persons islandwide. The sample error was + or 3.4 per cent.

Approximately 51 per cent of the persons interviewed articulated the view that information regarding campaign funds should be made public knowledge, whilst 26.1 per cent felt that this should not be done. Approximately 14 per cent of persons were not sure whether information should be provided, but 9.5 per cent had no opinion on the matter.

Most men in the sample were of the view that such information should be stated. Jamaicans in the 35-plus age group primarily held this view, as well as those in the upper socio-economic group.

Question: Do you feel that candidates in the forthcoming election should say where they got their campaign money from?

Yes: 50.6 %

No: 26.1%

Don't know/not sure: 13.7%

No opinion/don't care: 9.5%

Do as per constitution: 0.1%