There were predictably varying comments on the news that elections no longer will take place on February 9 as originally announced, but rather September 26. Some went as far as calling it
unconstitutional, because the dissolution decree with the former date was published already and that normally means people must go back to the polls within three months.
However, others argue that doesn’t apply in this case, as the decree hadn’t been set to go into force until December 15 and a new one to amend it was signed the day before. There is some discussion on the exact timing of the latter’s publication in the online National Gazette, but ultimately what people really care about at this point is when the vote is finally going to take place.
In that sense, the postponement by seven months does not appear to have been met with great disappointment among much of the general public. The fact that the delay is not indefinite – which easily could have meant until the next regular elections were scheduled in 2018 – obviously made a big difference.
Moreover, apart from the upcoming end-of-year holidays the tourism high season is here, to be followed by Carnival. Many especially in the private sector will be very busy trying to earn enough money to get them through the slower period afterward.
Going to the polls at the end of next summer also allows the political parties that have been through considerable turmoil to reorganise. It’s supposed to make possible electoral reform too, particularly to address so-called ship-jumping and/or the effects thereof.
As stated earlier, the system is geared towards parliamentarians being able to act according to their consciences without fear of losing their respective seats, so a way needs to be found around that. Then again, only two of the current 15 legislators received enough individual votes to be elected into office outright, so if that were the criterion all 13 others would not have “owned” their seats and been able to “go independent.” Expecting a majority of them to back any meaningful changes in this direction and to actually make it happen before Nomination Day on August 8 seems a bit optimistic, but time will surely tell.
