EVER SINCE the last general elections in Barbados two years ago, there has been disquiet from both politicians and those on the sidelines about the influence money played on the day of voting. What was long a whispering campaign became a public outcry. Yet, nothing officially has been done about this scandalous situation.
It is most welcome therefore that three prominent citizens have now publicly addressed this ethical failure. The initiative by businessmen Andrew Bynoe and Andy Armstrong as well as retired educator and trade unionist Patrick Frost to propose tough punitive measures against vote-buying, should be embraced by all right-thinking Barbadians. Upholding the island’s outstanding record of free and fair elections is paramount.
The proposal will certainly need the support of both major political parties. The three campaigners must, however, reach beyond partisans and touch the general public to ensure the widest possible support. After all, every adult citizen counts when it comes to electoral issues.
But while cash for votes on the day of any general or by-election is undoubtedly destructive, any proposal to eliminate this type of corruption must not target primarily the individual voter, the campaign worker or the aspirant for public office. The proposal from Messrs Bynoe, Armstrong and Frost needs to go much further. The discussion must be about revamping Barbados’ system of financing political parties and election campaigns.
Understandably, election campaigns are costly undertakings and with each passing one, the funding demands increase. But Barbados must not reach the stage of the United States where it is virtually impossible to mount, far less win, a campaign without huge sums of money. That is why there must be a holistic approach to the issue of campaign financing and not just that of vote-buying on the day of a poll.Â
This means that legislation must also be put in place to deal with what corporations and wealthy individuals donate to political parties or individual politicians and their foundations. We must be equally worried about the poisoning of the political process and impact on governance as a result of the influence of big financial contributors to campaigns. Rules and regulations related to public disclosure with stiff penalties for infringements must also be proposed in this regard.
It is evident that the Electoral and Boundaries Commission must have greater oversight in what needs to be a transparent process.
