THE EDITOR, Sir:
ANOTHER NEWSPAPER of Monday March 15, 2004 showed an article of Russians who were either living or visiting Jamaica, casting their vote at the Russian Embassy in Kingston. The picture that was displayed showed a Russian woman placing a ballot in to a fairly ordinary ballot box: no electronic voting mechanism. The article went on to say that the votes were counted here, in the presence of a 6-person electoral committee and the results were sent back to Russia to help decide the next Russian President.
ANOTHER IRONY
As one who has been very vocal on the issue of Jamaicans living abroad being afforded the right to vote through our Embassies and Consulates, the fact that this can be done by the Russians in Jamaica, and all over the world so that the one million Russians who are abroad can exercise their franchise, is not all surprising. The fact that it is being done right in our own backyard; not by us or for us, is discouraging.
Another irony is that a country that does not have as rich a democratic history as Jamaica would think it necessary to do for its non-resident population, but we would not. Russia, like Jamaica, is a country of tremendous natural resources but also a stagnant economy, huge debt and a burgeoning crime problem. None of those were used as justification for not providing all of its citizens the right to vote wherever in the world they are.
I would suggest that the Minister under which electoral matters fall pay Russian Ambassador Malayan a visit. And take Mr. Danville Walker with him. Who knows, perhaps the Russians might value our democracy so much that they may provide us some assistance in making absentee votes a reality for Jamaicans.
Who would have ever thought we might learn lessons in democracy from Mother Russia?
I am etc,
BRUCE McKNIGHT
bruce_mcknight
@hotmail.com
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
