Democratic elections

Dear Editor,

Watching a pre-conference explanatory discussion on TV recently regarding future general elections in our country, I’d say, this is indeed a healthy move on the part of the Office of the Electoral Commission (O.E.C).

The discussions based on the desire of the O.E.C to implement necessary changes in the Act, with the hinted objective of achieving true democratic elections in our country. 

It is my personal opinion that, from the year those few ambitious politicians adopted party-politics as part of the selection system, we ceased to have democratic elections in this country. 

Why, because we failed (or we deliberately failed) to put in place appropriate legislations to recognise, guide and control the behaviour of political parties especially when preparing for elections.

Where did we fail?.

1. Not educating the people on what party politics is.

2. Not educating the people on the importance of selecting a candidate of their choice based on party issues, considered most beneficial to them and future generations.

3. Not placing strict terms preventing the influence of the authority of village councils on voters.

4. Not legislating a restriction on a ‘One-party-candidate’ per electoral constituency.

5. Preventing any possibility of money determining the outcome of voter selection.

Our present socio-economic situations would be a lot more hopeful if our people were better prepared in their selection.

We would have also avoided an absolute majority government if our people were better informed on the possible consequences.

The O.E.C must therefore engage regularly and strongly in pushing for desirable amendments in the Act in order to achieve this long overdue objective.

 

Bell Of Masefau.

Samoa Observer

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