Editorial
Tanzania’s recent flawed election — in which President Magufuli won a highly suspect 84% of the vote — is both timely and relevant to the existing state of affairs here in St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr. David Kiwuwa of The University of Nottingham points out that “elections are only part of the institutional fabric of a democracy” and that “a democracy is only as good as its institutions — collectively.”
Those calling for electoral reform here must be examined for their real intentions. Over many years the Labour administration made numerous efforts to adjust constituency boundaries to bring them into line with constitutional requirements, and at every step the then opposition — several of whom are now in government — worked to undermine every recommendation. Real and meaningful electoral reform requires: strengthening democratic norms and civil rights; ensuring institutions serve the state rather than the political elite; fully transparent and independent electoral commissions; and freedom of association, assembly and speech for all citizens.