Tuesday, 23rd June 2020 (In the Caribbean) — As civic minded citizens, it’s our responsibility to register to vote and to exercise our rights as voters by voting in each election. I’m accustomed to voting in the USA where I have been a registered voter in the state of Washington since the age of 18 years. This year will be my first time voting on Anguilla.
In November 2019, I ensured that I was properly registered for the upcoming 2020 elections for candidates campaigning in Anguilla’s districts. I’m excited about going to the polling station on Monday, June 29th, and casting my ballot, especially because we have several women and younger people running for office. This is an amazing opportunity for all of us to participate in the electoral process and to elect leaders who are mindful of doing what is best for the people of Anguilla.
It may be challenging for some individuals to decide who to vote for. A couple of my friends told me that they don’t want to vote. Naturally, I queried them as to why they want to abstain from voting. I, personally, do not feel there is any legitimate reason for not casting one’s ballot. Even when I may not be particularly in favour of all the persons who wish to be elected, I vote. I ensure that my ballot is cast because years ago I would not have been able to vote. This is because of discriminatory practices that did not allow certain citizens, due to ethnicity and gender, to vote in the United States of America – as well as in many other countries across the globe.
Several decades ago, a multitude of individuals, both women and men of diverse backgrounds, marched, protested and advocated for all citizens to be given the God-given human and civil rights to vote. So, I do not take voting lightly and always exercise my right to vote. If we don’t vote, then we aren’t entitled to make any comments about who is elected to serve in government and who leads the opposition.
On Anguilla, we have a unique opportunity in voting because we are such a small, close knit society that we generally know all of the candidates who are campaigning. We have direct access to all the representatives and that is an advantage. We’re able to meet them out and about anywhere on island. We talk with them at various gatherings. We can agree with their manifestoes or agree to disagree and argue with them if we choose. However, the one thing that I don’t like seeing is when any member of our small island nation disrespects, harasses or tells untruths about an elected person. That is a disservice and dishonour to humanity and to the very roots of our Anguilla community.
I have watched in the campaigning for Anguilla’s 2020 elections how some folks seem to think politics are a free for all, and they can do whatever they like. Doing such things, as making anonymous calls to a candidate with false information, or contesting Anguillian voter’s registration, can be cause for concern when ethics and integrity are not maintained. Perhaps, these acts are done out of spitefulness or to ensure that a specific candidate has more or less votes.
So, I say to my sisters and brothers on Anguilla that ‘all a we are one’ and we need to start truly supporting and uplifting one another instead of tearing each other down. We need to come together in unity, working to develop and grow our community, which exists on merely 35-square miles, giving loving kindness, exhibiting positive attributes and showing tender compassion towards one another. During this time of a worldwide pandemic, we have the opportunity to make changes to how we’ve operated in the past.
In this silly season of political campaigning and elections, let’s hope that we can act graciously towards one another, and behave respectfully to everyone even when we have a difference of opinion and are not voting for the same candidates. Let us put aside discord among ourselves and come together as One Community, One Nation, One People and One Anguilla!
A fresh start for the governing of our nation, holding government accountable is what I envision. I pray we vote consciously and whoever’s elected will serve us well.
Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media—Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
