The Cost of Vote Buying - Integrity Group Barbados

The Cost of Vote Buying

In our previous article, we highlighted concerns over how campaign funds are raised, this article seeks to draw attention to how these funds are spent.  Although the national election date is still unclear, one thing remains certain, there will be large amounts of money spent during the upcoming campaign.  Much of this spending will be on advertising, polling and other legitimate ventures. However, it is the spending on illicit activities which should alarm average Barbadians.

  Vote-buying illegal

With the fierce electoral competition that is often necessary to win office, much has been said about some politicians and political agent’s willingness to engage in the illegal practice of vote-buying. Vote-buying involves the individual, immediate, and private exchange of goods, services, or cash for electoral support. Section 6 of the Elections Offensives and Controversies Act has deemed such actions to be a form of bribery, and therefore has made them illegal. The legislation also outlaws the activity of “treating”, which is the provision of food, drink, entertainment and other items during the election season.

Accordingly, vote-buying is practiced in numerous ways and can be perpetrated by multiple sources. The more common ways in Barbados include the payment of cash, the offering of high valued gifts and the promises of employment, directly by politicians or indirectly through political agents. Although the individual price for buying a vote maybe financially insignificant, the national cost is substantial.

Vote-buying undermines democracy

First and foremost, vote-buying undermines the common idea that elections should be about democracy and electing a legitimate government. When significant sums of money are pedalled into our neighbourhoods for votes, it can distort and even determine electoral outcomes. Barbadian’s genuine sentiments of who should legitimately represent national interest, could be lost by the padding of votes which are accompanied by no expectations after “the point of sale”.

Vote-buying can harm our economic well-being

This is a troubling reality as election results have real consequences. Elections determine the calibre and the character of the persons who will have considerable influence over the socio-economic well-being of the country. Political outcomes ranging from good governance to educational policy and taxation, are all in-part dependent on the election process and its outcome. Barbadians therefore should find it unsettling, that such life altering decisions could be determined by the number of votes a corrupt politician can buy, rather than their representative qualities and ministerial competence.

If vote-buying is allowed to affect both voter turnout and choice, then political accountability and good governance are at risk. When the contract between a voter and politician is based on financial rewards, rather than the expectation of good leadership, sound policies and competence, poor governance outcomes are likely to follow.

Integrity in politics necessary

Integrity therefore is not merely a “buzzword” heralded around during elections, as its absence has far-reaching and long-term implications. When politicians fail to meet the integrity standards expected of those vying for public office average citizens bear the cost. We must consider if a politician is willing to break the law through vote-buying, they could likely engage in other corrupt practices which could cost tax-payers millions. Consequently, the cost of electing a corrupt politician far outweighs the price of any trinkets, money, food and drinks, offered during an election. Barbadians therefore must view elections as a five-year investment in their socio-economic welfare and reject attempts to undermine their well-being.

Types of vote-buying                                               Ways of treating