At a time when the fate of the country’s future will be decided come polling period, there is no better time to highlight the issue of ‘vote buying’.
All too often a leader is chosen that is clearly not right for the job.
As voters, we are blinded by the quick cash deposits that we fail to foresee the real value of decisions made in haste.
This does not apply to all voters, but for those faced with a situation where your vote has a price, do not sacrifice your future.
So What is Vote Buying?
Vote buying is essentially any reward (cash or kind) that is given to a person that influences the way in which they vote.
In addition to vote buying, we should also consider people who sell their votes.
Vote selling involves people who vote in a particular way, or for a particular person for some kind of reward (cash or kind).
Why Should We Stop Vote Buying?
Vote buying and/or vote selling are corrupt election practices that should be stopped.
Vote buying and selling threatens the conduct of a fair election.
But what’s worse, is that it only serves a very small spectrum of people whilst the majority suffer because the wrong people are put in positions of power and fail to serve those they are there to serve.
What is the Electoral Commission’s stance on Vote Buying?
The Electoral Commissioner, Patillias Gamato, had mentioned early on in the year that vote buying will not be tolerated.
“Let me say that from the outset, it’s illegal to bribe someone. It’s up to the aggrieved person to go to police and report on bribery and corruption.”
Gamato added that, “People should not be bribing other people to go and vote, people must vote freely, with conscience, and select the leader whom they choose,”
Anyone found entertaining this kind of behaviour will face the full force of the law.
What should you do to Stop Vote Buying?
If you find yourself faced with a situation where your vote is considered a commodity, think about the consequences of your actions.
Be aware that vote buying is illegal and does not promote a fair election.
Ultimately, you and are the one that suffers, if a person has to pay for your vote – that candidate is only serving their own interests.
If you identify anyone buying or selling votes, do contact your local law enforcement agency to stop this corrupt practice.
Image Source: Nia Jamaica
2 comments
In order to stop the practice of “Votes Buying ” or bribery as we know it, the voters must be made to understand the real meaning of “vote buying”. The Electoral Commission and its agents in their voter education campaign has not clearly described the practise and its impact in an electorate or PNG as a whole.
The voter in reality has a different definition and description of vote buying. The voter only sees the ‘transaction’ between them and the candidate or candidate’s agent. The voter cannot see beyond the transaction. The voter does not or cannot see or comprehend the suffering this simple ‘transaction’ will bring onto his family relatives and friends. The voter only sees the transaction as for what it is…and exchange of money or materials for his 1 vote. Money means the voter can bring home something home to his family……if he doesn’t drink them all.
Merely telling the voter that is illegal and the ‘law’ will get the voter is a bet the voter will gladly take. All of us are gamblers in some ways. Gambling of corrupt practises happens not only to voters but also in the government and its administration corridors. It’s a case of a big chimney telling a small chimney not to smoke. Corruption in PNG is everywhere. Our people are corrupt by design. corruption is not longer one of the option for quick bucks but it is also ‘the option’. Corruption in all forms in PNG must be crushed forthwith in all areas starting from the top politicians to the smallest subsistence farmer in the village. I have yet to see an effective anti-corrution awareness campaign package in place in PNG.
The churches are one of those institutions that have logical mandate to fight corruption through anti-corrution awareness using the Word Of GOD. But they are very silent and are involved in the ‘finger’ pointing game. So the voter does not know who to believe. So the voter decides to gamble with the law and accepts the bribe. In the voters mind a 1 is a 1. Money is money. So the voter forms his/her conclusion and exchange his ‘useless 1’ for the ‘useful cash’ from the candidate and his agents.
The anti-corrution campaign in election is only a ‘Submarine’ exercise in PNG. It surfaces every five years. And upon surfacing it remains on top for 8 weeks.
Then it submerges underwater and remains for another five years. This ‘submarine’ has got to stop if we are serious at all in fighting corruption in our country.
Hi Rositta,
Well said, I’d like to adjust my thoughts about this issue just a bit. I’d like to say that;
Policies outline by the political parties are very important to analyse through reading every points and understand the benefits and its outcome. Strong actionable policies will bring ultimate change to every mindsets, are things we need to consider before casting our votes. I prefer policies like;
1. Creating mess job opportunities locally
2. Reducing tax
3. Maximising SME production
4. Increasing kinas value etc..
We all are being born with this power of choice/birth right and this is the moment where we all will exercise it for good and betterment of our nation and we need to let all people know about the very importance it will inherits.
Just a support opinion to your publish,
Thank you,