Voting public
The decision not to ban the sale of alcohol on election day April 20 for the first time should be seen as recognition for the civil behaviour shown by party supporters and the voting public in the past. It is important to remember, however, that being drunk and disorderly in public is still against the law and the police will keep an eye on that.
It’s also considered a pilot project, the result of which will determine what happens in the next election. Based on the agreements made for St. Maarten to become an autonomous country in the Dutch Kingdom on December 15, 2008, the election for the first Parliament should take place before that.
It’s important that voters and political supporters show that they deserve the confidence now placed in them and not overdo it. After all, elections tend to get emotional and that coupled with alcoholic beverages can be a dangerous combination.
Also the parties and candidates themselves can contribute, by not playing too much on the people’s emotions to get their votes. Keep in mind that, win or lose, we will all wake up in the same St. Maarten come Saturday, April 21.
The decision not to allow the taking of cell phone pictures inside polling stations is justified. While it’s never been admitted, there is sufficient indication that in the last election voters were asked to take cell phone photos of their ballots before depositing them in the voting bin, so they could prove they had voted as promised.
The practice opens the door to vote-buying and is undesirable at best. Having people turn in their cell phones before they vote would open up a can of worms, so they are allowed to take them in, but they must be turned off.
It’s obvious that there is no way to control what voters do once inside the voting booth, so in this case compliance will depend on the people. But let’s face it, if you need a photo to prove who you voted for, something is definitely wrong.
Give us your opinion on this story ![[new]](/images/new.gif)
Post a message on our message board! Click Here!
