The SHTA would like to commend the Prime Minister and government for opening the discussion on electoral reform. Their bold initiative deserves an equally candid and bold response. A healthy, robust and transparent electoral system is the basis for any successful democracy. While the SHTA agrees that improvements in the stability of ruling parties would be beneficial to St. Maarten, we believe that it is critical to address the root causes of instability.
It often appears that our elected officials are a loose alliance of personal agendas instead of a team that subscribes to a shared set of values, objectives and principles. It seems as if individual members of ruling coalitions are willing to leverage their position or seat in an effort to secure support for the next election. This constant jockeying for influence and credit seem to be at the heart of political instability.
The SHTA believe that if political parties were united by their common ideals, philosophies and visions, there would be much more stability. We understand the realities and challenges of asking the product and beneficiaries of the current political system to have the courage and vision to change the political system but nonetheless these changes are for the benefit of country St Maarten.
There are a number of tangible changes that we believe would be beneficial.
Campaign Finance Reform.
Individuals that are campaigning should be required to make public certain information as it pertains to the election process. Including source and amount of campaign donations in cash, services and in kind.
Candidates should make public their assets and business interests before and after taking office and either take positions that don't have conflicts of interest or divest from those investments prior to taking office.
Candidates should declare after the election how the campaign donations were spent.
Delegate Authorities.
In order to prevent the use of contracts, agreements and permits of all kinds as currency to "encourage" political support, the authority to issue individual licenses, work permits, building permits, bus licenses, taxi licenses, contracts for services, scholarships, land, and housing should be delegated to civil servants under strict guidelines and system of checks and balances. Elected officials should be focused on developing criteria, transparency, policy, legislation and oversight instead of actually approving or rejecting individual permits. Appeals could still be handled by elected officials, which would still give them possibilities to intervene when special attention is required. Additionally, this would create a feedback loop whereby policies could be adjusted when necessary.
Ultimately, it is the electorate that will have to call for election reform. Therefore, the SHTA suggests the voting public contact their parliamentarian and express their opinions.
Please note: These statements are related to the electoral system in general and not reflective of any specific party.