*The NTA Calls for Electoral Reform, Transparency in Polling Station Shifts, and Respect for CARICOM Observers*
The National Transformation Alliance (NTA) welcomes the confirmation that CARICOM election observers will be present for the upcoming general election. Their presence strengthens transparency, deters electoral misconduct, and ensures public confidence in the outcome.
A standard practice in regional democracy, attempts by the on-again, off-again leader of the PEP, Phillip Alexander, to discredit CARICOM officials are reckless and disrespectful to our regional partners. Their role is to ensure fairness, not to interfere. Anyone—especially those seeking leadership roles in government—who engages in such baseless attacks should be universally condemned.
And while Mr Alexander’s core character trait is to attack, destroy, and discredit everyone, this is a new low, even for him.
*Concerns Over Polling Station Shifts*
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) report and its practice of shifting polling stations into marginal constituencies continue to fuel suspicions of political bias. This practice can tip the balance of power in key seats, leading to claims of election rigging. The EBC’s efforts to balance constituency numbers are understood, but the optics of polling station shifts remain problematic.
The core issue, however, is not just polling stations but the outdated first-past-the-post system, which allows parties with fewer total votes to form governments, while third parties with significant voter support receive no representation. Examples include:
*• 1981: ONR – 91,000 votes (22.2%), 0 seats.*
*• 1991: NAR – 127,000 votes (24.62% ), 0 seats.*
*• 2007: COP – 148,000 votes (22.71%), 0 seats.*
This system creates a democracy where the winner takes all, and large portions of the electorate are left without a voice in Parliament. Shifting polling stations in marginal constituencies only intensifies this imbalance.
*The NTA Calls for:*
1. Electoral reform – Replace the first-past-the-post system with one that ensures every vote counts.
2. Transparency in polling station shifts – Clear explanations for all movements to prevent perceptions of bias.
3. Respect for CARICOM observers – End attempts to undermine their role in ensuring free and fair elections.
Modernising our electoral system is essential to ensure that every vote counts and no political party governs without majority support. This will guarantee that every citizen is represented fairly within our system of governance, aligning with the core values of democracy.
Gary Griffith
NTA Political Leader
