[lac-discuss-en] On The Voting System

[Carlton Samuels <carlton.samuels@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear All:
I can attest we all have concerns about the voting system, not only just
the configurations the BigPulse tool affords us. We also have significantly
different concepts on voting and what that means.  These concerns go past
the philosophical.

In English-speaking Caribbean jurisdictions, the law and practice is that
when a single candidate is duly nominated for a post and the nomination
period is closed, that candidate is deemed elected by acclamation.

Under similar circumstances in LACRALO - and as is the case in this
election cycle - there is a call for an affirmation vote. For those of us
in English-speaking Caribbean jurisdictions, that has always defied logic.

In our jurisdictions, the current legal framework recognize 'duly
nominated' as meaning that candidate is fit and proper for electing, all
pre-requisites applied. Voting is neither compulsory nor open. Remote
electronic voting is not possible. Other than the aggregate result, neither
is the vote of each person revealed. So under normal circumstances there
are only 2 choices; Yes or No.  Or, you can deliberately spoil a ballot,
like marking both Yes and No. If you don't show up to vote at the place and
time appointed, it does not count. You would not have received a ballot
anyways.

Under LACRALO rules, electronic voting is the normal mode. And every
qualified voter gets a virtual ballot. Rule 19 specifically calls for open
and transparent voting.
The struggle for us is to find a final and common understanding of how a
vote should be counted and the value assigned.

Even with a new dispensation, we will continue to support an 'open' vote
for transparency's sake; current Rule 19.

We do not see a problem with a butterfly ballot so long as the names and
position sought by the candidates are clear and so long as the tallies are
separate for each candidate.

We can understand and would indeed support a choice of "Abstain" as useful
for the ballot.

But there is a real need for a common understanding of how those votes
- *Yes/No/Abstain/No
choice* - are accounted for electing a candidate. Especially when the
virtual ballot is distributed and received! For a ballot distributed and
received means "present".

In any event, a full discussion is still needed to arrive at a common
understanding on all matters voting.

-Carlton Samuels

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*Carlton A Samuels*

*Mobile: 876-818-1799Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment &
Turnaround*
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