Vote-buying rumours

Widespread rumours that some candidates are resorting to buying votes to improve their chances of winning in the May 2 general election has resulted in the Parliamentary Registration Department taking steps to make it difficult for persons who have agreed to sell their votes to show proof that they voted for the candidate with whom they made a deal.

According to an article in Wednesday's Nassau Guardian, Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel announced that his department has instituted a new rule banning cellphones from the voters' booth. Apparently, rumours had it that persons who sold their vote were required to take a photograph to prove how they voted before they were paid.

Bethel admitted, however, that the department would not resort to searching individuals, but added that it is expected that everyone would follow the new rules. That's unlikely to be the case. Obviously, making it known that the Parliamentary Registration Department is aware of what was supposed to be the principal method of providing proof of how they voted will deter some of those who had agreed to such a scheme from using this approach, they nonetheless will find some other way to ensure that they collect their $300 or whatever they were promised.

Vote-buying is not new to elections; it has been going on from time immemorial and it will no doubt be a permanent feature of elections not only here in The Bahamas, but in every country where this essential aspect of democracy at work is utilized. But there probably has never been a time since all Bahamians were granted full voting rights — going back to the 1962 general election, when women voted for the first time — that there have been so many reports of candidates buying votes. If photographic evidence of persons allegedly queuing up outside some campaign officers for their turn to make their deal is accurate, it would seem as if some candidates do not consider what they are doing as being against the law.

But it is, and given what seems to be very tangible evidence of something underhanded taking place, it is amazing that the police have not taken the initiative to launch a full-scale investigation into the claims that are being made. Since a lot of what is alleged to be taking place is well-known to almost entire communities, it should not be all that difficult for the police to develop enough information to prosecute those persons who are enticing voters to break the law.

What's more, any politician who has to resort to buying votes is really admitting that he or she has not been a good representative. Indeed, voters simply do not vote against someone who has lived up to their expectations and has represented their interest to the best of their ability.

This is the sort of behaviour exhibited by rogues and scoundrels and is indicative of a representative who engages in corrupt practices and is only in politics to benefit himself. Moreover, generally the money that is used to buy votes is coerced from businesses in their constituencies who are led to believe that this is the price they have to pay for doing business with a corrupt government.

Be that as it may, even if dire economic circumstances make it difficult to say no to $300 or so on a promise to vote for such politicians, in exercising their God-given right, voters should treat them with contempt and, if possible, take the money and vote for a candidate that is committed to service to the people without any strings attached.

© 2007 The Freeport News