Editorial
For November 05

After a heated campaign
voters have their say

Today, the massive speakers fall silent, the confetti remains bagged and flags are tightly bound awaiting the results of the vote, the one day out of almost five weeks of steady, enthusiastic campaigning in which the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have their turn to be heard.
For each registered voter, more than 900,000 people, according to the Elections and Boundaries Commission, there is one vote. A single “X” to be placed on a single piece of paper in a single box in a single constituency. The reward? A stained finger that symbolises participation in the electoral process that is the foundation of this nation’s lasting democracy.
For some, this franchise seems a feeble thing. After all, few elections in history have been decided by one vote. But many hundreds have been decided by a margin of hundreds, sometimes dozens, and when a critical mass of citizens take their responsibility to vote to heart, the results of an election more clearly reflects the collective will of the nation.
In making their choice today, voters will be heartened by the broad similarity in the manifestos of all three parties competing for their vote when it comes to broad, macroeconomic policies.
There is a strong sense of agreement underlying the commitments of all three rivals that there should be a commitment to such issues as public sector spending, the managed, floating exchange rate and policies of international trade.
This has been the case for more than a decade now, as Trinidad and Tobago’s needs and ambitions have become more closely aligned with the strategies of the global economy.
As citizens of Trinidad and Tobago embrace their most fundamental right today, some cautions regarding the voting process are worth remembering.
The focus of today’s activities is on the voting process, and the Elections and Boundaries Commission has created areas in each community where voting is the only activity allowed.
While parties may have observers in designated areas, there can be no hint of persuasion of any kind in evidence, on pain of arrest and fines.
Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul has indicated the Police Service will be on duty in all constituencies and in all polling stations to ensure that the election process is conducted with appropriate behaviour and respect for established process.
In past elections, there have been incidents, such as one infamous situation in San Fernando that led to a court case which was ultimately dismissed. Such outbursts and efforts to intervene in the process created by the EBC do not advance anyone’s cause.
Employers are reminded that by law, all employees are allowed two hours to vote, a freedom enshrined in the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and also enforced with penalties.
Over the next few hours, the future of Trinidad and Tobago will be cast in stamped paper and that decision belongs to hundreds of thousands of individuals, contemplating their choices in the privacy of the voting booth.
The opportunity to choose today is the legacy of hundreds of politicians in the past, both in opposition and in power, who have aligned themselves with one fundamental principle, the importance of leaving the final choice, the ultimate authority in selection of constituency representative and party, to the people of this nation.
Today, then is your day, your opportunity to take part in a process that often seems remote and removed from day to day life and cast the opinion that your vote represents into the ballot boxes that will shape the country’s immediate future.
Get out and vote.