Candidates respond to bribery reports

Mario Ebanks, WBA

Thursday,  April 21, 2005

On Monday 18 May, the Elections Office called a press conference to draw attention to the large number of reports of alleged acts of bribery, undue influence and treating being received by the Office. 

As yet however none of those complaints have been formalised, so no full details have been given, which has drawn criticism from some candidates in the election campaign.

Many are saying that with the11 May Election coming in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, the electorate is still battling the economic effects of post-Ivan assistance, and candidates helping out individuals in their constituencies in a time of need are being accused and misunderstood.
Commenting on a statement by Kearney Gomez, the Supervisor of Elections, that the reports of bad practice are higher during these elections than at any other time, Berna Thompson Cummins of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) said Members of the PDA do not believe in buying a vote.

“This goes against the very essence of what we stand for,” said Ms Thompson Cummins. 

“In 1991 I was awarded the MBE. One of the reasons for this was for the way in which I responded to the needs of the community. I have always done this and have continuously done so. But the increase in number could probably be because of Ivan.

“Should the fact that I continue to respond to the needs of persons in my community during this election period, be misconstrued by the receiver or the observer, I would no longer be able to respond to those in need during this time.

“It is very hard to turn away someone who comes for help. But I have never made any connection between assistance given to them and the way in which they vote. I have always given assistance, long before elections.

“What needs to happen is that the Elections Office must make contact with candidates and spell out what candidates should and should not be doing since the lines are now blurred. The Legal Department needs to give examples,” she added.

Mario Ebanks of the West Bay Alliance (WBA) also agreed that post-Ivan activity might be misconstrued by the recipient or by an observer. He also pointed out that candidates might not be the ones asking for the recipient’s vote but that recipients may be pledging to vote, in gratitude for the assistance, or may assume that this ought to be the case.

“Since Ivan, and even up to now, there are a lot of people still hurting and there has been a tremendous surge in the number of people seeking assistance from candidates, “ said Mr Ebanks. “However, because of the potential fallout with voters misconstruing assistance, we (WBA members) have refrained in some cases where this might happen.

“It is good that the Elections Office has made a forceful statement and the WBA does not endorse practices that may be contrary to the Election Law.

“Similar acts have impacted the outcome of elections in the past. For this election, there is a lot more at stake than at any other time in our recent history and as such it should be made known that candidates’ campaigning must be done on the higher ground. 

“As well, the electorate ought to be told that politicians cannot finance all sorts of causes, even if they are good ones,” he explained.
Independent candidate, Sandra Catron said, “In light of the hurricane there is going to be an increased number of incidents. However, there are too many specific stories (of bribery and treating) for the issue to be ignored.

“What is important is that up to now we have never had a prosecution. But this is not a surprise. A recipient cannot be the one from which hard evidence must be received. We have to find another way of doing this in order to stop it.

“What the electors must realise is that when a civil servant, who is also a candidate, uses a government vehicle to procure a lump for them, the benefactor is not the candidate; electors are already indirectly paying for these gifts,” she said.

However, independent candidate Maxine McCoy Moore who is running on the Sister Islands said there was such activity at the same level as in the past. “It may have decreased a little, if anything. But, politicians here are still promising that they will give you “this” if you vote for me.”

Honourable Roy Bodden of the United Democratic Party (UDP) said, “Bribery has never been our style. I have not heard of any complaints and therefore I have no cause to comment on the matter.”

When asked about the situation and its impact on the People’s Democratic Party, (PPM) Lucille Seymour said the party had always beseeched people to listen to issues and not sell their votes. “It is the duty of the Elections Office to remind the public of the Law,” said Ms Seymour.

   Back...