The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE election season is heating up and all the major political parties are making their rounds in an effort to secure the support of voters. There are many stories to tell as candidates reveal their vision to constituents for the next five years if elected.

During one of my travels, I came into contact with an individual who said that he wanted to sell his vote.

I am advised that he told a particular candidate that he wanted to fix up his house and that if the candidate paid him $1,000 he would support him in the next general elections.

The resident said: "You see my house. I need money to repair it. I need a thousand dollars. Otherwise, get the out of my face."

I contacted the candidate to find out what their response was and he said that he thanked the resident for talking with him, but that buying votes was not something that he supports.

I heard many stories from past elections about voters being given cheques, cash money, furniture and even liquor to vote for a particular candidate.

Even if candidates have stopped breaking the law by offering bribes for votes, it certainly is still apparent that voters have not given up on receiving payment for their vote.

One thousand dollars equates to 55 cents a day over the next five years. I ask all voters if their vote is worth a measly 55 cents a day.

Shouldn't voters want their candidates to work with them to keep their communities safe?

Shouldn't voters want their representative to protect their jobs?

Shouldn't voters want their representative to be free of criminal misconduct?

I beseech all voters to please desist from begging candidates for money or gifts in an effort to sell votes.

Any candidate who pays you to vote in his/her favour cannot be trusted.

In fact, if this happens, I would admonish the voter to call the police.

Our country will not get any better if we don't hold ourselves and our parliamentarians to higher standards.

The upcoming general elections present a perfect opportunity for all voters to change the quality of representation that we receive.

Remember, you will only get what you vote for.

DEHAVILLAND

MOSS

Nassau,

March 20, 2012.