Dear Editor,

With the gradual closing of the window for holding of the general election, many will be out on the hustings trying to secure our votes.

While some will have a genuine desire to serve the people, we should be aware that there will be others with selfish agendas that are incompatible with good governance that promotes equality and justice for all.

Currently, along with our more decent and upstanding Parliamentarians, there are some who do not have the desired character due to an absence of personal values. So they aren’t guided by any moral compass and are unable to inspire positive change in any way, shape, or form.

If we are to thrive as a country, we must reject rampant corruption, cronyism, dishonesty, injustice, and the exploitation of any class of our people. We have to demand that our servants/leaders pursue truth and openness and do what is right. The presence of convicted criminals, suspects, abusers, and the several allegations of impropriety surrounding our parliamentarians aren’t good signs of us being in a great place. And the nation’s recent drop in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index confirms what should be concerning.

That illicit enrichment is alleged is equally concerning. We should not tolerate miscreants in our Parliament who are possibly participating in enacting laws that they do not themselves adhere to. The nation needs to know who the alleged perpetrators of abusing their offices and the public trust are so that their behaviour is despised and not unwittingly condoned. They should be barred from appearing on a ballot until they clear their names from insinuations of the Integrity Commission.

Even more alarming, though, is that some people will put it all behind them on the promise of a couple of days’ dinner, only to return to their previous dire situation within a week. They will give up their right and be told by an elected representative, “I don’t have to speak to you, I already paid for your vote.”

It behoves the more self-sufficient and not easily manipulated to ensure they participate in any decision as to who is best suited to represent and advance the interest of our homeland. Voting is a duty, and failure to exercise it, in my opinion, means you have given up your right to speak out when you become dissatisfied.

R Nunes

ralstonnunes@gmail.com