Election aftermath

Editor: The atmosphere in our country, following the results of the 2015 General Elections, is tense and uneasy. The feeling of ‘brotherhood and togetherness’ has all but gone. Never before have I witnessed so much disunity and disrespect in our country. Callers to the various ‘call-in-programmes’ on local radio, and many Vincentians posting on social media, often make contemptuous and venom-coated comments that make you wonder if we are really living in a civilized society. {{more}}What is most disheartening, is the tense political atmosphere that has split this country right down the middle. What would be the outcome of all this political bickering? I wonder.

The leadership of the NDP and some of its die-hard supporters seem to be ‘crying foul’, often implying that the ULP stole the General Elections. The word ‘cheated’ has been and continues to be uttered…. continuously. A sprinkling of protesters can be seen virtually every day, and even at night in an area close to the Electoral Office. Some get quite vocal at times when the supervisor of elections arrives to enter her office or leaves the building, under police guard. Much of what is said to her by some delinquent members of this group of protestors is too unpleasant to be repeated. I have personally witnessed it on more than one occasion. While one can tolerate the continuous presence of these protestors on the streets of Kingstown, nothing can excuse the verbal abuse this lady receives on a daily basis.

The High Court is presently dealing with the petitions of the NDP in regard to the General Elections. Let the Court be the one to decide whether or not electoral officials erred in carrying out their duties during the General Elections. Such anti-social behaviour directed at a lady of unquestionable integrity and one who has contributed significantly to the society, as a former teacher, trade unionist and principal, is unwarranted and should be utterly condemned. I will not excuse this type of behaviour, nor should any of us, despite which political party we support.

It appears to some persons that there is a significant cross-section of the society who feel that they have been disenfranchised, though the handful of protestors on the streets does not seem to reflect this view. Is it that there are silent supporters of the NDP? One wonders. The Government is obviously trying, but does it have additional ideas to deal with the current situation? People are angry….frustrated. One thing is obvious to all Vincentians and it is this: the economy has and continues to decline. Questions surface in our minds. Is it the fault of the Government? Should the Government shoulder all the blame for this decline in the country’s economy? Are other countries in the Caribbean or the wider world also experiencing economic decline? Is our Government doing enough to help to improve the economy? Are efforts being made by Govern-ment, aimed at future economic development? Is it too early to assess the performance of this Govern-ment in this its fourth term? Should we be more patient and wait for the Government to prove itself in its new term of office? I will leave you, the readers, to ponder on these questions. What I would hasten to say, however, is that I am of the firm view that the Opposition Members of Parliament should take up their rightful places and attend all sittings of the House of Assembly, rather than continuing this silly and ill-advised act of boycotting Parliament. Their contribution to nation building in this very important area is highly essential.

In closing, let me say this. We need a solution to the present social crisis facing our country. Crime and violence are on the increase as well, and rapidly getting out of control. Is this what a country experiences when it is developing, or are there other factors associated with this rapid upsurge in crime and violence? Are we trying to surpass the crime rate of neighbouring countries? As citizens who want the best for our country, let us all be peaceful, patriotic and sober minded, even as we voice our own opinions or express our frustrations on matters of public interest.

Observer