LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Will the SPPF ever know the meaning of Free and Fair?
Sir,
Do permit me some space in your esteemed newspaper to express my views on the Presidential Elections.
Will the SPPF ever know the meaning of the word fairness? Mr. Michel’s comments on election night do not hold water. He mentioned that all forces were against him.
Well let me tell Mr. Michel the following:
1. You have the Media (TV, Radio and Newspapers (Nation, Isola Bella, Independent).
2. You have all the financial resources at your disposal.
3. You have the security forces behind you.
4. You have the government resources, such vehicles, top civil servants influence.
What then were the forces against you?
On the question of the Election itself, the Electoral Commissioner should be made aware of the fact that SPPF activists and top officials were still actively campaigning during the “cooling off” period right up to the day of the election.
There have been quite a number of cases of intimidation and threats. At a number of Polling Stations,SPPF activists were located at a distance whereby they could observe the people in the queue. Quite a number of voters were telephoned while waiting to vote by these activists. In Anse Aux Pins, there is evidence that a minister called voters pressuring for SPPF votes. This is quite a despicable behaviour and shows how desperate the SPPF were, even after spending so much money during this campaign.
We really have a lot to learn from other democratic nations to know the meaning of free and fair elections.
Thanking you
J.A.William
Beau Vallon