CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – FEDERAL elections are just a few days away and constituents throughout the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will be exercising their franchise to elect the candidates and party they want to govern their affairs for the next five years.
In recent months, the call for national debates has intensified by members of the People’s Action Movement and the incumbent Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament and member of the Concerned Citizens Movement Hon. Mark Brantley.
From this backdrop, SKNVibes took to the streets in Charlestown to get Nevisians’ opinion on “Should debates be an essential component of election campaign among contesting political parties?”
Trevorne: Yes, we should have political debates. It would improve awareness and make it easier for young people like me to make up their mind and make the right vote. Political meetings won’t necessarily help because both parties may not together get to voice their opinions.
Moya: Political debates is not a bad idea, because when two parties are in front of each other there won’t be as much “hear-say” and “dem-say”, as we hear now on the street. There will be two parties confronting each other face to face, and that will allow a better, straight-forward understanding of the issues.
Majorie: I am for national political debates. I do not like the tone now at all, and this is from all sides. As a matter of fact, I have not been following the campaign process much this election season. I only follow so much of it as I need in order be aware of what is going on around me, but other than that, instead of tuning in I tune out.
Nailah: Yes, I am for political debates. We need to force politicians to raise the standard of their campaigning, and it would allow voters to be more aware of the issues of the day.
Duanna: We need political debates, because at the individual political meetings the parties will just be talking about what they have already done and what the other party hasn’t done; not what they really plan to do. If we have political debates the people of the country would be more informed of what is happening in our system.
Marvin: We should have national political debates so that voters can hear what all the parties have to say and offer, and make decisions fairly and clearly without any regrets. That way, our national elections will be more effective.
