By Shanique Richards
St. Kitts Reporter
There have been many discussions in the media about the issue of citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis who reside overseas having the privilege to exercise their right to return home and vote during election time. It is a constant argument as to whether or not this should be allowed and if so under what terms. Through The Observer this week, persons have once again voiced their opinions on this matter as they wish to keep the general public abreast of this situation.
The Observer took to the streets to document society’s views on this matter.
Winston Zack Nisbett, Central Street – Although we have benefited from the overseas voters I feel that they should not be able to just rush in here and determine our destiny. I do not think that anything is wrong with overseas citizens of this country returning home to vote but my concern is that I believe that they should stay in the country for a given time before casting a vote, even a small period like about 3 months. This is so as to get more conscious of the surroundings.
It is not fair for people to just get up not knowing what we have to endure here and just come and throw themselves in our affairs with their own political agendas. Our culture stems from multiple sources and we have various cultures, which is the lifestyles in which people live, and they do not know how we are living so it is best for them to first find out and bear what we are bearing then they will have a better appreciation for what we are going through.
I think the whole situation needs to be assessed and in order to do so you need to be among the people to get a feel of what they have to tolerate and that is the basic point. Giving citizens who are overseas a ticket to come home to vote is a bad system and that goes for all parties not just in St. Kitts and Nevis but throughout the Caribbean. I think a standard program should be implemented for overseas voters.
Brian Prentice, College Street – I think that allowing overseas citizens to come home and vote is a good thing because these persons contribute to the economy. In most cases, these persons send money back into the country whether in the form of sending money for family at home, buying foodstuff or spending when they visit. Therefore, I think they should be allowed to vote.
Maurisca, Cayon – I think it is wrong! wrong! wrong! I totally disagree because in my opinion I find it to be cheating. If these persons live overseas then they should not have the opportunity to come here and vote. Fair is fair and we need to start being fair to those that live in this country and suffer the consequences day to day. Because after they cast their vote it is the citizens who reside in this country that will get the after shock of their decision.
Africa, Newtown – Generally speaking, as a citizen it is your birthright and constitutional right to exercise your franchise, which in this instance is one’s right to vote. Citizens who was have gone abroad for whatever reason, economic or to study, still have a right not to be excluded in the election and decision making process of their country. They might have gone abroad and chose to live there but most of the time they return home. Also, when citizens send their earnings back home, that money contributes to the GDP of the country. Therefore, the avenue should always be open for them to exercise their right to vote whenever they see it fit.
Jasmine Saddler, St. Peters – I disagree with overseas citizens coming back home just to vote. I mean, they out there living their lives and when they come here they vote and leave us here to struggle and I do not like it. I think it is wrong and only if they live in this country they should be allowed to vote.
Shaveti, St. Peters – I agree that they should be allowed to return home to vote in term of whether or not that person had ties remaining in this country. If the person has family here such as children and they have the intention of returning home then it is their country and they should be able to vote. But I disagree because if they do not live here and they do not have any intentions to suffer any consequences we have to bare then they should not be allowed to vote. In my opinion, I think it depends on the person and their interest in this country, it depends on their intentions.
