Do we need Electoral Reform?

THE ELECTIONS are over, but the discussion on several election- related issues continues. These include Cabinet choices- personnel and portfolios- and even speculation of possible improprieties in public office by previous officeholders, though without any evidence offered publicly to support any such allegations. In addition, there are the demands for what can only be deemed as revenge by the more rabid elements who support the new government.

This columnist has long opposed any such demands especially as it relates to firing of public servants or any treatment which smacks of political victimisation, and loudly applauds the commitment of the new government not to move in that direction. This does not mean personnel changes, for each administration will have its own priorities which may require transfers of personnel or functions.

I urge the new government to stick to its guns in this regard.

It is to our collective credit that once again we had peaceful elections with no major incident of violence.

This indicates a growing maturity on the part of our electorate including our young people. The ballot is the best way of resolving our political differences and we must keep it that way.

Now that we have concluded the voting and the attendant post-election formalities and we are still in the mood for discussion on matters relating to general elections, it may be an ideal time to initiate public discussion on the conduct of our general elections with a view to determining whether we need to review our procedures and regulations with a view to how they can be improved for the benefit of us all. Unfortunately, our experience has been that immediately just prior to and after elections we have heated discussions on such matters, but interest quickly fades with time.

Over my years of journalism I have on numerous occasions, not just at election time,raised the issue of possible electoral reform as a means of strengthening our democracy.Yet, even as we approach general elections, while there is often inclination to criticise current practices,there is little appetite for improvements either by way of amending laws or practices. Not even our political parties seem interested in such a civilised and enlightened approach.

But post-election discussion often brings up issues relating to the conduct of elections which may require official attention and redress. Take our latest elections for instance. Supporters of the Opposition have been making unsubstantiated allegations about vote buying as a factor influencing the outcome of the poll.

Now, whether idle talk or sour grapes, the matter is a very serious one. Since I was a little boy, I have been hearing such accusations but can’t recall whether anyone has been convicted for such an offence.

The allegations range from petty bribes to allegations that persons were paid up to $5,000 for a vote. The mathematics boggles the mind and, if factual, indicate that huge sums were expended in such illegal practices. At such a princely sum for a vote, a candidate would have had to pay $500,000 to get an extra 100 votes in his/her favour.

A frightening $ 1 million for 200 votes! That boggles my mind. Then, there are allegations that despite official warnings, there were voters who took cameras into the polling booth and actually took photos of the ballot cast to guarantee their side of the bargain and so be able to collect whatever was promised. Did all this happen in our elections or are these excuses for defeats? But the details are not the most important issue, the key question is whether our voting system permits such serious infractions as bribery, and what can be done about it.

Sadly, over the years we have been more concerned about the alleged perpetrators. What is even more serious though is that such illegal action undermines the sanctity of the vote and its purpose in expressing the true will of the electorate. Not only must it not be tolerated and offenders punished harshly but even more importantly, every legal means must be employed to prevent it. So should it not be therefore, a critical issue for public discussion at all levels, and where necessary, introduction of legislation to eradicate it? There have been efforts at the regional level to facilitate public discussion on such issues with a view towards strengthening the electoral system. For more than a decade now the Organisation of American States (OAS), has put forward suggestions for the strengthening of electoral systems in the region. Even its latest Observer Mission to the recent St Lucia elections referred to the matter (available on the OAS website). Is it not time that we engage in serious public discussion on such matters, at all levels- from community right up to Parliament? The last time we engaged on discussion at such a level was during the constitutional reform process of 2004-2009.

These are matters of such a magnitude that they override partisanship. The least we can do is to re-examine our electoral laws and practices with a view to closing loopholes and strengthening legislation. We must do it not in the heat of election time and political partisanship, but in informed and sober reflection. I urge the new administration to add this to its agenda.

_ Renwick Rose is a Social and Political commentator.