Political Scientist Peter Wickham expressed his perspective on the potential affect of the diaspora in Barbados’ electoral selections. He critically analyzes the calls for of Barbadians residing abroad for voting rights within the island’s common elections, urging a cautious method.
His feedback have been made throughout Sunday’s Parliamentary Reform Fee Particular Diaspora Zoom-Corridor Assembly.
A tidal wave of exterior affect
Wickham emphasizes the substantial affect that members of the diaspora might exert on the electoral system in the event that they have been allowed to register and vote.
He believes that such allowances would, in essence, place vital electoral selections within the palms of these residing exterior of Barbados.
Wickham factors out the chance related to diaspora members casting votes remotely, both via embassies or on-line platforms, as it could depart Barbados grappling with selections made by people not residing on the island.
Proposal: Illustration via a singular voice
Providing an answer to stability illustration and management, Wickham suggests establishing a delegated diaspora consultant.
The consultant, elected by the diaspora residents, might take part in Parliament, presenting a unified voice for the abroad Barbadians. This method, Wickham believes, might present a neat, organized, and substantial methodology of involving the diaspora within the nation’s political discussions and selections with out overwhelming the electoral system.
Guarding in opposition to uncontrolled voting places
Wickham argues that an uncontrollable inflow of votes from varied places exterior of Barbados might destabilize the electoral course of.
Referencing previous elections, he illustrates the potential points that might come up from a scarcity of construction and management, citing situations the place exterior votes considerably influenced election outcomes in different areas, corresponding to St Kitts.
Reflecting on regional precedents
Wickham additionally refers to regional examples, citing related challenges confronted by different Caribbean nations.
He notes proposals made by regional leaders, such because the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who steered constitutional reforms to handle the affect of diaspora voters successfully, providing these examples as potential issues for Barbados in revising its electoral system.