The minority opposition Clement Payne Movement (CPM) on Monday called for an end to vote buying as Barbadians gear up to elect a new government in general elections later this year.
CPM president David Comissiong has challenged the island’s two main political parties – the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the main Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to immediately introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Election Offences and Controversies Act to address the vexing issue.
The CPM, which is generally viewed by voters there as a left wing group, said that “the exchange of hundred dollar bills for votes” had become a standard practice in general elections in Barbados and across the region and if the practice was not brought to an end, it would eventually “totally destroy the public or civic life of our nations.”
“This corrupt practice has resulted in a sizable proportion of the young Barbadian population forming the impression that many, if not most, politicians – including some men and women who get elected to Parliament and some of those who go on to hold ministerial office – are no more than tawdry hustlers and con-men,” said Comissiong, an attorney.
He said that under the Election Offences and Controversies Act both the buyer of the vote and the seller of the vote are guilty of having committed a “corrupt practice”.
The political parties have been increasing their campaigns ahead of the election that could be held as late as May this year.
The last general election was held on February 21, 2013 resulting in the DLP winning 16 of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly.
