Citizens of Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – If there’s one thing that is consistent about our beautiful island it is that we are good and God fairing people. Pray for those in authority and there will be Peace in the land”
Sint Maarten is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since October 10 2010. Our new constitutional status is mirrored to a great extend to the governmental system in Holland. It is governed by the rules of law, with the separation of powers, Parliament, Government the Judiciary.
Sint Maarten and its People are currently once again faced with snap elections to be held on November 24th upcoming. This decree, was signed by our Governor, the Honorable Drs. Eugene Holiday on September 23 rd . The Governor represents the King.
Postulation day is set for October 2nd 2019. This date was set by the Electoral Council and publicized late afternoon September 25 th 2019. The PPA party did not and has yet to receive an official letter from the Electoral Council informing us of the decision of the date of Postulation. This decision is undemocratic and leaves little room to complete the preparatory work to contest elections within a reasonable time as prescribed y electoral law procedure.
Additionally, the decree of the Electoral Council excludes the participation of new parties to contest the snap elections. This decision is Undemocratic.
New parties should be allowed to register, get their 1 % supportive votes to qualify and if successful participate in the snap elections. We support and applaud the establishment of new political parties. The people have a choice. They always did.
Further; regarding the matter of ship-jumping the following: the Kingdom
Government stated clearly in 2016 that St. Maarten government law proposal to change our constitution to forbid ship jumping is unconstitutional.
How do we proceed from here?
My humble suggestion; affected and aspiring political parties together with the many concerned citizens who voiced their concerns and disgusts regarding the current political situation, hire a lawyer and start a court injunction soonest.
This court injunction must be aimed at halting the current biased and unfair electoral process, and request the Electoral Council to allow the normal electoral process to take its course.
Finally:
There are many opinions on all sides of this issue. Those who are for elections, those who are against, those who advocate Dutch intervention, those who don’t vote and who continue to say they will not vote. The expression of all these sentiments and opinions are precisely because our constitution allows and protects us to express our opinions without fear or repercussions.
Whether most of us agree or not, fact is that there was a new majority support of nine (9) in Parliament that would support a new government. Let this new government postpone the current date as was done several times before.
Let me conclude with the following:
We are looking forward for common sense to prevail.
The many issues facing our nation are still at our doorsteps. The sooner we move forward and get clarity regarding the current electoral process, a process that we are desirous of participating in for the next elections, the faster we can refocus our attention and deal with the serious issues facing our nation. Issues including finalizing the airport renovations, reducing/ eliminating GeBe fuel clause, reducing the overall high cost of living, having more disposable income, instead of disposing of peoples income.
AS THE GREAT LATE SAM COOKE SANG: ‘A CHANGE HAS GOT TO COME’
We have a bright future ahead, in spite of it all, this too shall pass.
People have to realize that they are the ones who can make the difference.
For Sint Maarten the question is: will our People wake up stand up, stop
complaining and vote for that change when that time has come.
Thank you God Bless Sint Maarten and its People.
