Candidates criticize 200-meter rule
Towards the end of the day, these supporters of the Democratic Party had some energy left for a photo shoot. Photo Today / Milton Pieters
GREAT BAY – Despite what appeared to be a largely incident-free Election Day, some of the candidates were concerned by the change in the regulation about a ban on campaigning by candidates or supporters within 200 meters of polling stations.
For one candidate, the low voter turnout early into polling, even within two hours before close of polls was a major concern. National Alliance #13 candidate Jimmy Challenger was very concerned about both issues. The alleged decision to change the rules late on polling day to allow police discretion to determine whether campaigning closer than the allotted 200 meter was permitted, should not have happened. “There was some kind of statement by the minister of justice saying it’s up to the police discretion. But if you put in a regulation saying 200 meters and then you allow them to still congregate…I think that is unfair and undemocratic,” Challenger said.
According to Challenger, voters were heckled by supporters especially of the United People’s Party (UP) to vote for their candidates while they were in line to vote. “We adhered to the rule being 200 meter away…one candidate was assigned to each (polling) station and we were heavily outnumbered especially by the green party,” Challenger said.
On the issue of voter turnout, Challenger was immensely concerned. “I am hearing the voter turnout…to be 40% which I consider to be very low,” Challenger said. Just under two hours before the close of polls, he was hoping that there would be a surge in voters coming in to vote after work. He was hoping for a 70% turnout by the close of polls. “Usually you would get a surge after 5 p.m. when a good bit of people come out from work but I am still concerned because during the campaign people were saying they’re not going to vote,” he said. “If it reaches 70% then that’s a good portion of the population.”
Another candidate who had problems with the 200 meter rule change was St. Maarten Christian Party #2 candidate Keith Gittens. “That was the only hiccup for the day. You have people (campaigning) walking up to the polling station and the idea was not to allow that to happen,” Gittens said.
Aside from that however, Gittens was pleased with polling day activities from his vantage point. “It’s going OK. Slow but sure. We should have 48 percent by now,” Gittens said when we spoke to him some minutes after 6 p.m.
Other candidates Today spoke to were satisfied with Election Day. Democratic Party # 10 candidate Chasen Williams said he was based at the Dutch Quarter Community Center polling station for most of the day and the turnout there was encouraging. He also did not report any challenges or incidents at that polling station. “Everybody is on their best behavior right now,” he said.
First time UP candidate May-Ling Chun was based in a Simpson Bay polling station and reported that everyone were in high spirits. “I have been here since 8 in the morning and we were here as United People’s party well represented,” she said. “Consistently we see people coming and voting. It’s been a good atmosphere and we have a good representation here.” She said all the parties there adhered to the 200 meter rule.
