Be aware: According to the main voting bureau, there are 19.601 eligible voters on Sint-Maarten this coming election. There are probably more than 5.000 born indigenous Sint-Maarteners living in Holland and elsewhere in the world who are not allowed to vote! That is more than 25% of the registered voters on Sint-Maarten! With such a substantial amount or voters, it would definitely influence the polls at home. In Holland, there are 500.000 eligible voters living and working abroad which represent 8 seats in the 150 seat 2nd Chamber Dutch Parliament. Sint-Maarten with over 5.000 eligible indigenous natives living abroad would represent 5 seats in the 15 seats of the Island Council/Parliament of Sint Maarten. How can this be ignored? If it can be done in Holland with over 500.000 eligible voters living and working abroad, which is less than 3% or the amount of registered voters in Holland, why cant it be done in Sint-Maarten with over 25% of its native citizens living abroad? Why has no Government, political party or politician in the past ever addressed this issue? Why are we ignored and deprived of our right to vote in our own country if we live abroad? Every other country in the world allows their indigenous citizens (expats) to vote if they reside elsewhere in the world, why cant our laws be updated and revised? Is it because its not in their interest for us to vote? Or is it because they fear we might vote for the wrong party? Its not to say that they dont have the facilities for it. Those living here can cast their vote at the “Antillenhuis” or future “Sint-Maarten Huis” in The Hague or at any Dutch Consulate or Embassy in the world.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:21:34 +0000
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