President of the Clement Payne Movement David Comissiong has urged authorities to make the prevention of vote buying a national priority ahead of upcoming general elections.
In fact, he is challenging the island’s two main political parties – the Democratic Labour Party and the Barbados Labour Party to immediately introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Election Offences and Controversies Act to address the vexing issue.
In a strong statement, the social activist warned that “the exchange of hundred dollar bills for votes” had become a standard practice in general elections in Barbados and across the region and if the practice was not brought to an end, it would eventually “totally destroy the public or civic life of our nations.”
Comissiong, an attorney at law, pointed out that under the Election Offences and Controversies Act (Chapter 3 of the Laws of Barbados) both the buyer of the vote and the seller of the vote are guilty of having committed a “corrupt practice”.
He however expressed concern that the Act fails to stipulate that offenders are to be fined or imprisoned – except in the very limited and restricted case of persons who indulge in activity on the public road or in a public place, on Election Day (during the hours that the poll is open), and within 100 yards of a polling station.
Comissiong argued this was grossly inadequate and changes “to attach the penalty of a fine and a period of imprisonment for anyone found guilty of the corrupt practice of bribery, whenever and wherever that offense may be carried out during the entire official period of an election campaign” were needed.
“This – needless-to-say – needs to be done as a matter of urgency, so that we can provide our Royal Barbados Police Force with the legal instruments that they require in order to properly police the upcoming General Elections and ensure that vote buying and selling is not a feature of these 2018 Elections.”
He proposed that the Royal Barbados Police Force put together a number of motorized “flying squads” in marked and unmarked police vehicles to carry out rapid anti-vote buying surveillance missions in relevant communities during the last week of campaigning and on Polling Day in particular.
Comissiong warned that the practice of vote buying has resulted in a sizable proportion of young Barbadians losing respect for men, women and institutions that are supposed to provide national leadership and this was likely to have serious consequences.
“When a critical mass of a population lose respect for the men, women and institutions that are supposed to provide national leadership, the nation is lost!,” Comissiong said. .
Time to lock up vote buyers, Comissiong says - by Barbados Today January 22, 2018 
Article by
Barbados Today Published on
January 22, 2018
Article by
Barbados Today
Barbados Today
January 22, 2018
Barbados Today firmly discourages any commentary or statements that are libelous, disruptive in nature or incites others to violate our Terms of Use. Any submissions made on our comment section, are solely the views of the individual and not Barbados Today.
120 Replies to “Time to lock up vote buyers, Comissiong says”
What are your thoughts? Add to the conversation.
You may also like these articles
This is Barbados .
This is Barbados .
And the people who take the money too
And the people who take the money too
How are you going to catch them?
reward the vote sellers handsomely to come forward
My thought exactly. The vote sellers are motivated by money and will squeal to high heaven if they are granted immunity and offered a reward for coming forward. This thing is eroding our ability to freely choose a government and must be stopped.
How are you going to catch them?
reward the vote sellers handsomely to come forward
My thought exactly. The vote sellers are motivated by money and will squeal to high heaven if they are granted immunity and offered a reward for coming forward. This thing is eroding our ability to freely choose a government and must be stopped.
Well I would vote . But I need something. After all my vote will help make your votes stronger to win . Then if you become a minister in parliament. Your salary will be as big as a quarry . So I see nothing wrong in that .
Wrong kind of thinking.
It is this mentality that is partially responsible for this country’s state of affairs.
No person that supports nationalism and is patriotic would ever even entertain the thought of putting a price to their vote.
Period !!!
Lol you take a couple hundred or thousands for one day and they make a couple million in five years.
Any body that puts an X to DEM just selling their souls to the DEVIL,what DAM losers.They coild off er me a job in the Prime Minister office DEM still can’t get my vote.100.00 can but a few packs of biscuits,bread and maybe a tin of cornbeef and the monet dead,what EFFERS they are.Lord,help this country not too suffer another 5 years with FRAUDEL AND TIEFING STINKLIAR,we r suffering and bad.
It’s not really putting a price on votes . But I know people that gets al sort of things. Not saying exactly that I must get something. Just voicing a point .
Well I would vote . But I need something. After all my vote will help make your votes stronger to win . Then if you become a minister in parliament. Your salary will be as big as a quarry . So I see nothing wrong in that .
Wrong kind of thinking.
It is this mentality that is partially responsible for this country’s state of affairs.
No person that supports nationalism and is patriotic would ever even entertain the thought of putting a price to their vote.
Period !!!
Lol you take a couple hundred or thousands for one day and they make a couple million in five years.
Any body that puts an X to DEM just selling their souls to the DEVIL,what DAM losers.They coild off er me a job in the Prime Minister office DEM still can’t get my vote.100.00 can but a few packs of biscuits,bread and maybe a tin of cornbeef and the monet dead,what EFFERS they are.Lord,help this country not too suffer another 5 years with FRAUDEL AND TIEFING STINKLIAR,we r suffering and bad.
It’s not really putting a price on votes . But I know people that gets al sort of things. Not saying exactly that I must get something. Just voicing a point .
So tell me give away TV i phone laptop can that be vote you pay ne for my vote how can i prove it
So tell me give away TV i phone laptop can that be vote you pay ne for my vote how can i prove it
STUPSE… he talking bare foolishness wait until DLP ready and go and say so fool
STUPSE… he talking bare foolishness wait until DLP ready and go and say so fool
Why not pay me for my service in helping you get elect,because when elections over, you sitting pretty in office,you wont even remember my face or name…it’s sad tho..
Why not pay me for my service in helping you get elect,because when elections over, you sitting pretty in office,you wont even remember my face or name…it’s sad tho..
And lots of politicians and the rest who has destroyed Barbados people ….Where has all the money gone………………
And lots of politicians and the rest who has destroyed Barbados people ….Where has all the money gone………………
Diana, that’s not going to happen, and you know it.
Diana, that’s not going to happen, and you know it.
The problem is with this democracy thing, is that more stupid, duncy, ignorant people get to vote, than intelligent people. And I think that is wrong. There must be an intelligence test before your vote is counted. In other words an evaluation of the voter is necessary to make democracy valid.
The problem is with this democracy thing, is that more stupid, duncy, ignorant people get to vote, than intelligent people. And I think that is wrong. There must be an intelligence test before your vote is counted. In other words an evaluation of the voter is necessary to make democracy valid.
No asshole with his pants down by his ankles and his head messed up with weed, should decide my future.
Chillax its not that serious,,saggy pant man has only one vote as you have yours.
You should direct your anger at the cabinet and politicians instead.
No asshole with his pants down by his ankles and his head messed up with weed, should decide my future.
Chillax its not that serious,,saggy pant man has only one vote as you have yours.
You should direct your anger at the cabinet and politicians instead.
Then the Govt. would have to lock up all the Barbados Labour Party candidates.
They did the same thing in St. Lucia at the last St. Lucian elections.
Marsha the Pit Toilet woman giving away free WiFi
CCC; what has St. Lucia corrupt voting practice has to do with Barbados? Comissiong said to lock up A. B. C. D. that is caught buying or selling their vote and you jump straight onto the BLP. the practice of politicians paying utility, giving stoves, washing machines and jobs etc., during their time in office or when they are seeking to get elected should also be a crime, that is also a form of bribery.
Then the Govt. would have to lock up all the Barbados Labour Party candidates.
They did the same thing in St. Lucia at the last St. Lucian elections.
Marsha the Pit Toilet woman giving away free WiFi
CCC; what has St. Lucia corrupt voting practice has to do with Barbados? Comissiong said to lock up A. B. C. D. that is caught buying or selling their vote and you jump straight onto the BLP. the practice of politicians paying utility, giving stoves, washing machines and jobs etc., during their time in office or when they are seeking to get elected should also be a crime, that is also a form of bribery.
They could not pay me enough. I want to be comfortable after the payout. Just saying.
They could not pay me enough. I want to be comfortable after the payout. Just saying.
Don’t forget the campaign funders…it’s them funding the vote buyers and then pulling the puppets strings
Don’t forget the campaign funders…it’s them funding the vote buyers and then pulling the puppets strings
Wake up Barbados.
Wake up Barbados.
Bossman… you left a cupple loopholes that you cud drive a sanitation truck through: bribe dem BEFORE the ” official period of campaigning”….like right now! Or bribe a voter’s 10 yr. old daughter who cannot vote. Or just accidentally drop a new cellphone in de road, and ask someone nearby to tek care of it for you. Or….etc etc. The rot is everywhere, endemic, and nasty. We deserve what we get.
Waaaaaay better to teach yung’uns Civics in school.
Bossman… you left a cupple loopholes that you cud drive a sanitation truck through: bribe dem BEFORE the ” official period of campaigning”….like right now! Or bribe a voter’s 10 yr. old daughter who cannot vote. Or just accidentally drop a new cellphone in de road, and ask someone nearby to tek care of it for you. Or….etc etc. The rot is everywhere, endemic, and nasty. We deserve what we get.
Waaaaaay better to teach yung’uns Civics in school.
No no no. Wait until after I get paid
No no no. Wait until after I get paid
Everything comes with a price. All the voters doing is letting the Politicians know that there is “no free lunch”.
It’s like saying “Money can’t buy my love.
Then, no one set out to marry a POOR fella.
Everything comes with a price. All the voters doing is letting the Politicians know that there is “no free lunch”.
It’s like saying “Money can’t buy my love.
Then, no one set out to marry a POOR fella.
Stephen D Stewart that cry about buying votes i the new battle cry of the incompetent ..a perfect lullaby of those without confidence prior to any vote
Stephen D Stewart that cry about buying votes i the new battle cry of the incompetent ..a perfect lullaby of those without confidence prior to any vote
Stephen D Stewart Bajans are a bunch of pailin cocks
Stephen D Stewart Bajans are a bunch of pailin cocks
The money cant last for 5 years and all the while you are suffering
The money cant last for 5 years and all the while you are suffering
All them gone get lock up
All them gone get lock up
Sellers and buyers
Sellers and buyers
The sellers are the problem not the buyers
The sellers are the problem not the buyers
Gotta prove it was brought. Cause if dems give me money and I don’t vote for dem what ya call it?
Gotta prove it was brought. Cause if dems give me money and I don’t vote for dem what ya call it?
If there are no givers or sellers then they will be nothing to buy.
If there are no givers or sellers then they will be nothing to buy.
You got to lock up yourself
You got to lock up yourself
The buyer and the seller should face a custodial sentence inafdition a fine for the party if found to be part of the crime
The penalty needs to be severe enough so that anyone so inclined would realize that it just isn’t worth the punishment.
The buyer and the seller should face a custodial sentence inafdition a fine for the party if found to be part of the crime
The penalty needs to be severe enough so that anyone so inclined would realize that it just isn’t worth the punishment.
What is it about the ‘Dianas’ in this forum that find vote peddling so attractive ?
Not a thought for this country’s future or a drip of patriotism.
It’s no wonder this country is on the decline.
A lack of nationalism or love for country.
What is it about the ‘Dianas’ in this forum that find vote peddling so attractive ?
Not a thought for this country’s future or a drip of patriotism.
It’s no wonder this country is on the decline.
A lack of nationalism or love for country.
And sellers, more so.
And sellers, more so.
No politician can discover who you voted for! Don’t let them fool you! People have taken ‘gifts’ from the politicians in the past and then voted for someone else!
I was just going to say that… Take the money an vote the way you think you should. Heck….take money from both parties!!
I assume votes are still private and confidential!!
No politician can discover who you voted for! Don’t let them fool you! People have taken ‘gifts’ from the politicians in the past and then voted for someone else!
I was just going to say that… Take the money an vote the way you think you should. Heck….take money from both parties!!
I assume votes are still private and confidential!!
Why would Comissiong want to lock up the BUYERS and not the SELLERS ?
Why would Comissiong want to lock up the BUYERS and not the SELLERS ?
Remember a BLP candidate admitted that he took money from a man on polling day
Remember a BLP candidate admitted that he took money from a man on polling day
Couple of my friends say they will be voting even if they have to walk barefoot on glass.
Couple of my friends say they will be voting even if they have to walk barefoot on glass.
What people don’t seem to understand about Vote Buying is that it is a transaction. The buyer pays you for your Vote and you Vote for the Buyer. At that point the transaction is complete and the vote buyer no longer owes the Voter a single thing. If the Vote buyer is elected as an MP, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more as your MP. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. Never sell your Vote! vote them in for free, and make sure they owe you everything.
What people don’t seem to understand about Vote Buying is that it is a transaction. The buyer pays you for your Vote and you Vote for the Buyer. At that point the transaction is complete and the vote buyer no longer owes the Voter a single thing. If the Vote buyer is elected as an MP, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more as your MP. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. Never sell your Vote! vote them in for free, and make sure they owe you everything.
Was calling u
Was calling u
I have never been approached by any one with an offer to buy my vote but I know that it is nothing new. The cost might have gotten larger but the intent is the same. My Father had shops and from little I was always in the shop. I can remember politicians whose names I will not call even though some have passed on, coming to the shop and saying to my father ” give the fellows what ever they want and put it on my bill”. Usually they wanted corned beef, sardines for the odd fellow who didn’t like corned beef. So out would come the plate that was kept for such occasions. In went the sardines or corned beef along with some chopped onion, lard oil to moisten and some good old pepper sauce. Washed down with some coloured Alleyne Arthur, Mount Gay or Doorly’s Mc Caw Rum. So vote buying ain’t nothing new, it’s just that the vote now cost the seller more.
So Mr C does it mean that no company or indivisual should make neither small or large contribution to any political party? How then would the party be able to fund elections? I don’t know if you are aware but every thing cost money. It would mean then that since the party nor its candidates do not sell a product that all candidates would fund their own campaign. As I understand it does cost a lot to do so, am I to assume then that all future candidates are millionaires?
Get real Mr C. I have not given my opinion on the matter, only making observations and asking questions, so FB thugs, don’t bother to cone after me and say what I did not say.
I have never been approached by any one with an offer to buy my vote but I know that it is nothing new. The cost might have gotten larger but the intent is the same. My Father had shops and from little I was always in the shop. I can remember politicians whose names I will not call even though some have passed on, coming to the shop and saying to my father ” give the fellows what ever they want and put it on my bill”. Usually they wanted corned beef, sardines for the odd fellow who didn’t like corned beef. So out would come the plate that was kept for such occasions. In went the sardines or corned beef along with some chopped onion, lard oil to moisten and some good old pepper sauce. Washed down with some coloured Alleyne Arthur, Mount Gay or Doorly’s Mc Caw Rum. So vote buying ain’t nothing new, it’s just that the vote now cost the seller more.
So Mr C does it mean that no company or indivisual should make neither small or large contribution to any political party? How then would the party be able to fund elections? I don’t know if you are aware but every thing cost money. It would mean then that since the party nor its candidates do not sell a product that all candidates would fund their own campaign. As I understand it does cost a lot to do so, am I to assume then that all future candidates are millionaires?
Get real Mr C. I have not given my opinion on the matter, only making observations and asking questions, so FB thugs, don’t bother to cone after me and say what I did not say.
Time to lock up fraudulent politicians not just vote buyers. No one can prove whether a politician helping a man or buying a vote….That would mean a politician or party can give nothing directly to a member of the public because that could be used as evidence of vote buying…Big donators to parties does control dem…what about laws regulating that….
Time to lock up fraudulent politicians not just vote buyers. No one can prove whether a politician helping a man or buying a vote….That would mean a politician or party can give nothing directly to a member of the public because that could be used as evidence of vote buying…Big donators to parties does control dem…what about laws regulating that….
He like he is more asshole than I thought
He like he is more asshole than I thought
Everyone has a phone with a camera these days. You see anything suspicious, especially on polling day, take a picture and post it. if a lot of us do that we will catch a lot of the vote buyers and sellers. Let’s go for it.
Everyone has a phone with a camera these days. You see anything suspicious, especially on polling day, take a picture and post it. if a lot of us do that we will catch a lot of the vote buyers and sellers. Let’s go for it.
Use your phone to catch the vote buyers and sellers. Post anything you see no matter who is the culprit.
Use your phone to catch the vote buyers and sellers. Post anything you see no matter who is the culprit.
Also companies giving politicians donation can be considered vote buying because the companies and big well heel fat cats looking to get things done in they favour after elections.
Also companies giving politicians donation can be considered vote buying because the companies and big well heel fat cats looking to get things done in they favour after elections.
What people don’t seem to understand about vote Buying, is that it is a transaction. The buyer pays you for your vote, and you vote for the Buyer. At that point the transaction is complete and the vote buyer no longer owes the Voter a single thing. If the vote buyer is elected, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. Never sell your vote! vote them in for free, and make sure they owe you everything.
Solutions will not yet be implemented as a result of comments on facebook or social media. Awareness and education is needed at the bus terminals, in the marketplaces and community centers. Print information flyers, with savings voucher related to spend attached, and distribute similar to the Impact World passes now being circulated. Maybe some of the renewable energy suppliers will offer 10 % off regular prices of PV electricity systems installed.
What people don’t seem to understand about vote Buying, is that it is a transaction. The buyer pays you for your vote, and you vote for the Buyer. At that point the transaction is complete and the vote buyer no longer owes the Voter a single thing. If the vote buyer is elected, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. Never sell your vote! vote them in for free, and make sure they owe you everything.
Solutions will not yet be implemented as a result of comments on facebook or social media. Awareness and education is needed at the bus terminals, in the marketplaces and community centers. Print information flyers, with savings voucher related to spend attached, and distribute similar to the Impact World passes now being circulated. Maybe some of the renewable energy suppliers will offer 10 % off regular prices of PV electricity systems installed.
Politicians buying votes is no real issue, because you could be paid to vote for tom brown , but instead you vote for harry smith so the worry is for that crooked politician…
All I want to see in Barbados, that our politicians cannot do what they like anymore ,they must be (Accountable ) and can be remove from office as easy as they were put there …………….
The will of the people comes first ,not the brown envelopes under the door or we the people are doomed and remain third world…………
For instance ,look what has happen in England , we now seeing how the Political Corporate Corruption works, when the ***t hits the fan, billions are screwed up thousands of small people getting hurt, but the politicians and they friends are covered…………..
Politicians buying votes is no real issue, because you could be paid to vote for tom brown , but instead you vote for harry smith so the worry is for that crooked politician…
All I want to see in Barbados, that our politicians cannot do what they like anymore ,they must be (Accountable ) and can be remove from office as easy as they were put there …………….
The will of the people comes first ,not the brown envelopes under the door or we the people are doomed and remain third world…………
For instance ,look what has happen in England , we now seeing how the Political Corporate Corruption works, when the ***t hits the fan, billions are screwed up thousands of small people getting hurt, but the politicians and they friends are covered…………..
Our country is so deeply corrupt it doesn’t matter anymore, the fight them and us ………
Our country is so deeply corrupt it doesn’t matter anymore, the fight them and us ………
Solutions Barbados say:
” If the vote buyer is elected, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. ”
Ossie : Awesome and truthful response from Solutions Barbados. The problem is that most bajans will never understand what SOLUTIONS BARBADOS is trying to tell them by the end of the day most bajans are will have responded to by saying ”
” STUPSE ” a common and regular bajan answer to solving every problem in ” buh”bados ( Barbados )
Note : To the TOURISTS who doesn’t know the meaning of ” STUPSE ” . . it is a very disgusting bajan habit where the lips are pouted and air is sucked in between the teeth making a very disgusting sound.
Solutions Barbados say:
” If the vote buyer is elected, he doesn’t owe you good bus service, he doesn’t owe you garbage collection, he doesn’t owe you water in your constituency, he doesn’t owe you good roads, or a functioning hospital, he owes you nothing further. You have just put him or her in office, and he or she owes you nothing more. You were paid already, you deserve nothing more. ”
Ossie : Awesome and truthful response from Solutions Barbados. The problem is that most bajans will never understand what SOLUTIONS BARBADOS is trying to tell them by the end of the day most bajans are will have responded to by saying ”
” STUPSE ” a common and regular bajan answer to solving every problem in ” buh”bados ( Barbados )
Note : To the TOURISTS who doesn’t know the meaning of ” STUPSE ” . . it is a very disgusting bajan habit where the lips are pouted and air is sucked in between the teeth making a very disgusting sound.
LOCKUP ! ! ! !
. . . . . another thing that I just cannot comprehend is that another popular bajan word is ” lockup ” . The 2 most popular bajan words and responses to any situation in Barbados are ” stupse and lockup .
STUPSE . . A very disgusting bajan habit where the lips are pouted and air is sucked in between the teeth making a very disgusting sound.
LOCKUP – being sent to prison for :
(1) Stealing a tin of sardines , or a pint & a half of bottle of white rum.
(2) Stealing cassava.
LOCKUP ! ! ! !
. . . . . another thing that I just cannot comprehend is that another popular bajan word is ” lockup ” . The 2 most popular bajan words and responses to any situation in Barbados are ” stupse and lockup .
STUPSE . . A very disgusting bajan habit where the lips are pouted and air is sucked in between the teeth making a very disgusting sound.
LOCKUP – being sent to prison for :
(1) Stealing a tin of sardines , or a pint & a half of bottle of white rum.
(2) Stealing cassava.
David
You are late.
The Barbados Labour Party was giving away money from in December 2017.
David
You are late.
The Barbados Labour Party was giving away money from in December 2017.
What is disgusting about STUPSE ?
That is we culture
Every true Bajan should know that that is we culture.
Buh looka muh crosses doah !!
In 2017.
What is disgusting about STUPSE ?
That is we culture
Every true Bajan should know that that is we culture.
Buh looka muh crosses doah !!
In 2017.