EDITORIAL - Democracy must be upheld

Since the announcement just over a month ago that the long-time Member of Parliament (MP) for St. George North, Gline Clarke, intended to retire from active politics and there would be a by-election, things have been heating up politically in this country.

It has been a busy month thus far, with the two main political parties holding mass meetings practically every weekend, and spot meetings in between. The other political parties formed within the last few years are not to be left out, and they too have been getting out there and interacting with the constituents; and these parties are not to be discounted, for even if they do not win, the likelihood of them capturing votes that either the Barbados Labour Party or the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) would normally get is very real.

This election will no doubt be a referendum on the performance of the current Government, and their job will be to continue to endear themselves to the constituents, while highlighting what they have done for the constituency in particular, and the country in general. For the DLP it will also be an important election. Following the party’s crushing defeat in the 2018 general elections, it has been in a process of rebuilding and regaining the voters’ confidence, and this election will be a good judge of how well this has been done. Based on the numbers attending the DLP meetings and even watching online, it would seem that despite their massive defeat at the polls almost two and half years ago, the second oldest political party in this country is not dead, and if the DLP candidate Floyd Reifer wins, or even comes close to doing so, it would certainly be an indication that the party is on its way back.

As previously noted, the campaign is heating up and there are some people, it would seem, who have become overzealous on the platform – guess it is not called silly season for nothing. We are back to the name-calling, innuendo and rhetoric, which the St. George North constituents must sift through as they weigh the issues, to decide on the best choice for their new parliamentary representative.

Also of note, is that earlier this week as the candidates visited the Valley Resource Centre to be nominated to contest the election, some raised concerns about vote buying. Sadly, that complaint is not new and is quite unfortunate, if the reports are true. It goes without saying that the authorities must get a handle on this seemingly growing culture of vote buying that is permeating this little rock. If left alone, it has the potential to threaten our democracy and to diminish the actions of our forefathers who initially achieved the right to vote.

Choosing a parliamentary representative based on the almighty dollar, rather than what that prospective MP stands for, or the philosophy of the political party he represents, is definitely not the right way. One must realise that to give away one’s democratic right to vote for a fleeting dollar bill, is a step in the wrong direction and betrays our democracy. Moreover, anyone who seeks to purchase your vote is not worthy of your X, they are stifling democracy.

This administration has spoken quite a bit about integrity, transparency and accountability, and it is hoped that they do not sweep these concerns under the carpet, and instead put the requisite legislative measures in place to ensure that by the time the next general elections rolls around, or perhaps even another by-election, that such complaints are a thing of the past. And also, that should it occur still, that the necessary systems are in place to unmask those involved in such corruption.

Barbados Advocate

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