Photo: Sint Maarten Police Force
August 19, 2024 | Oscar van Dam
The population of Sint Maarten will go to the polls again on August 19. The first time this year, the elections were held on January 11. Justice on the island has announced that it is prepared for a lot this time: with patrolling officers from all the Caribbean islands of the Kingdom on the streets, extra powers to search for the police and an extensive campaign to tackle vote selling.
In the run-up to the early parliamentary elections on August 19, the Public Prosecution Service of Sint Maarten, the Police Force and the National Criminal Investigation Department called on all voters this weekend ‘to participate responsibly in the democratic process’.
Anyone who is approached with an offer to sell their vote, or who knows of someone who is trying to sell or buy votes, is urgently requested to report this to KPSM’s anonymous tip line, 9300.
Buying and selling votes are serious crimes, residents are told. “These acts threaten the integrity of elections and undermine public trust in democratic institutions. Those who sell their votes pave the way for corruption,” the warning reads.
Safety plans
In addition, the police have announced that they will do everything they can to create a safe voting environment for all citizens on August 19. The crisis team has been activated for this purpose and safety plans have been drawn up.
Major intersections and roads will be closely monitored and officers will be present to efficiently manage traffic. There will be increased controls at various roundabouts in Sint Maarten to maintain order and public safety. This includes checking for the many illegal weapons in circulation.
Furthermore, the island has been divided into different sectors by the police, patrolled by teams of police officers from Sint Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba and the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands. In this way, ‘peace and security’ should be guaranteed on the day that is considered a ‘celebration for democracy’.
During that party, there is a ban on the sale of alcohol; only hotel guests can drink freely on election day. For the rest of the island, there is a ban on the sale of alcohol from Sunday afternoon 6 o’clock until Tuesday morning 6 o’clock.
Comprehensive measures
Although in the past there have been more warnings not to sell votes and the police have always been alert, the measures for the upcoming elections are much more comprehensive than ever. There are several reasons for this.
This year, five people have already been killed by gun violence on the island, including Sabine Arrindell on July 17. She is the wife of Olivier Arrindell, long known as a businessman and now political leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC). The murder has not yet been solved, but according to Arrindell there is no doubt that the murder was politically motivated.
Another reason for the extra measures is that a gun check in the Dutch Quarter district earlier this month got completely out of hand, resulting in more than ten arrests, riots on the streets and barricades in the district and a soldier who was injured in the head. Since that incident, the police have been given more powers to search, including on election day.
From last Friday until Tuesday, the day after the elections, extensive powers will apply to the police in Dutch Quarter, but also in the Cole Bay/Simpson Bay and Maho/Cupecoy districts.
It is the first time such a measure has been issued for Maho, a popular tourist area with many hotels, restaurants and casinos. Officers are allowed to search cars and other vehicles for weapons in designated areas, and anyone on the street can be frisked.
Political unrest
On July 31, three associates of MP Akeem Arrindell were arrested, a day later the politician himself was arrested. Arrindell and his associates, who were all released after questioning, are suspected of forming a criminal organization that was involved in buying votes.
Although several politicians have been accused of buying votes in the past, it often proves difficult to actually prove this in court. However, there is no reason for the Public Prosecution Service not to warn the population again very seriously: those who care about democracy and the well-being of Sint Maarten should stay away from buying and selling votes!
Coalition
Since May 3, Sint Maarten has had a coalition of four parties: URSM, PFP, DP and NOW, led by Prime Minister Luc Mercelina. The coalition lost its majority in the States on May 20 when Kevin Maingrette (NOW) declared independence and withdrew confidence in the government. A week later, he said he regretted it and supported the coalition.
At that time, however, the process of dissolving parliament had already begun. This must happen on September 20. The Mercelina cabinet has been governing as a caretaker cabinet since May.
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