A PROPOSAL FOR A MORE CIVILIZED POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING
Seychelles is a tourist destination with a diverse multi-ethnic society. There is a need to maintain stability and ‘joie de vivre’ amongst our population. We therefore propose that political rallies should be banned as they provoke agitations among partisans, especially those rallies laced with booze. We do not need the disturbances during election time. People need to have access to politicians on a one on one basis. All political parties should be allowed full access to all state funded media (TV, papers, etc...) with equal airtime to each party so that they can pass on their messages to the entire population. We need to allow people to be able to debate on issues that concern the betterment of our country. Politics should not be about money. Politics is about ideas to make money for our country so that we can afford to pay for our debts. Let the people be the judge of who has the best ideas and they will decide based on the merits of the proposals that the parties put forward.
So allow access to the media on an equal proportion and propose debates between the political candidates in the same way that ‘mature’ democracies do. We have seen the two political debates in the UK elections recently and noticed how the battle of ideas produced some surprising outcomes. Seychelles needs healthy political debates. It’s time for a change of mentality. We are tired of seeing political newspapers running each other into the mud. Let our people enjoy politics on a different level. A level that will surpass our imagination as we have strength in unity and not division! Divisive politics of raucous rallies and intense provocative campaigning should be a thing of the past. We need to unite on ideas. And may the best ideas be brought forward for the love of Seychelles.
Let democracy and free speech reign. Those that have answers to our problems should be listened to. Those that have questions to answer should face up to it. Those that have their country at heart should rise up and do the right thing. Democracy is about freedom. Freedom is about choice. And the choice is for a better Seychelles… Let our people live in harmony! We want a TOTAL BAN on political rallies that only serve to incense the population and divide our nation into factions. Let us do our politics with more civility ‘pou lanmour Sesel’!
When an Election is announced and the date set for the start of Campaigns by all Parties, equal time must be given to all Parties on the Government Media - [RTS] - to let the population know what their Agendas and Policies are.
ReplyDeleteIs that a problem in Seychelles?. If it is, then there is something very wrong in our Democratic System and JAM must donn lord so as to rectify the situation.
TIKLO i fer zot tou Salamm.
Is there a problem in Seychelles? I thought it was obvious!!!
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThe question asked by TIKLO is: Is that a problem?, and not "Is there a problem?. Please engage the brain before putting your mouth into gear. When the campaigns start, every political Parties must have equal time. Is that the case?..has that been the case? and stop being a smart Arse.
Is that a problem in Seychelles? I thought it was obvious!!! For those that are not smart asses.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot change people's mentality overnight. Do you foresee the sppf/lepep allowing the opositon parties equal amount of airtime on radio and TV and debates in the districts like in a real democracy. I'm afraid it's not in the interest of the sppf/lepep to do so. Let's not be naive, the sppf would never allow any open debates of divergence political views. They still operate in their one party state mentality, they cannot think outside the box as JAM once said (he was talking for himself and his sppf clique) How do you change 35 years of one party state mentality, not in 6 months for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat we need is live political debates between the candidates, without any teleprompter for Michel and no microphone in his ear with Jean Paul Adam on the other side giving him the answers. Of course, they could always give Michel the questions ahead of time so that he can prepare, but live political debates on TV would be a perfect forum for the people of Seychelles to hear from the candidates and listen to their real view points. This is what we should be aiming for and pressure must be put on SPPF to conform to the norms of the world. SNP and Boulle should demand this and if SPPF refuses, then Wavel and Boulle can debate each other and put Michel to shame if he does not want to take part. If Michel is a coward now, he will be a coward forever.
ReplyDeleteMichel is an ass and will continue to control the media for his own party. Onezine is an SPPF and not about to jeopardize his livelihood, so he will remain a faithful follower (pti lisyen) of Michel. Nothing will change except that Michel will get more and more airtime come close to election time. If I was a violent man, I would bomb the SBC station in the night so that they could not broadcast during election time.
ReplyDeleteMany coutrnies practice a policy where the sale of alcohol is banned on election day or the days prior to it, but to have a complete ban is unfortunately mission impossible, especially amongst certain groups who see the political rallies as pure fun and games.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing that the political leaders can do however is to encourage their followers to stay sober and not sink to the level of those who cannot see the seriousness of the election.
The rest will be up to the people I'm afraid.
Patrick X
Tiklo is slowly getting the message of Rasin movement.A man can change,hope Michel does the same.
ReplyDeleteJeanne D'Arc
What prevents Ramkalawan (assuming he is going to stand for the next Presidential election) and Boulle (who has already declared his candidacy) from debating each other, if Michel does not want to be part of it? Maybe MSR or some other movement/organsation, and why not "Comite Paroissiale" organising such a debate? In the last elections in Maurititus some Comite Paroisiale of the Catholic Church organised debates between the candidates.
ReplyDeleteAs for free speech, maybe Opposition Newspapers could start by setting example, why can't REGAR carry an interview of Volcere (or MAncham) and vice versa Weekly an article of Ramkalawan. Charity starts at home.
Before anyone accuses me, i believe that SBC being a public body should allow for diverging views, political debates...that is beyond any dispute. They are not doing it, and it will be wishful thinking that they do so as long as SPPF/PL controls. But what the Opposition can do is lead by example, if Ramakalawan debate Boulle, Volcere it will have an effect on the population. This will form part of an eudcation process. The last time there was any debate was probably back in one party state when SPPF organised meetings to discuss multi party, J F Ferrari was in Lapay Galere, i was there too. Since then nothing!
Vox
TIKLO:
ReplyDeleteYou raise a valid point but it does not go far enough.
The point is that to have genuinely democratic elections all parties must have fair and equal access to the government funded media in our country. I agree.
But the point must be taken further. Even assuming that there is a period just prior to the election for all parties to have equal access to the media, it does not negate the effects of the PP Collaborators using government media as their propaganda machine the rest of the time. Equal access and the right to respond must exist at all times and is constitutionally mandated - this mandate is ignored by the PP Collaborators.
A Rasin-ist government will rectify this problem as stated in the Rasin-ist Creed.
Most election laws or regulations require equal access and treatment for those wishing for free airtime.Equal access does not necessary mean equal treatment.In a crowded field of competing candidates and parties,it may be difficult to decide who should appear in the media first or last.Is there enough time for all the candidates'advertisements to air within the official campaign period,or for the voters to absorb the messages?What time slots are the candidates allotted in the campaign,and when?Even if candidates have equal airtime,do they have the equal access to production resources needed to create their ads?The government should give all parties extensive airtie during official campaign on governement-run media outlets.
ReplyDeleteMy proposal would be thatthe electoral commission makes its allocations equitably by offering each party a fixed minimum number of hours plus additional time linked to the party's performance in the previous election.
Jeanne D'Arc
Jeanne D Arc, do you seriously believe that laws/regulations...or more of that will chnage anything in Seychelles?
ReplyDeleteMy observation is that the opponents to the SPPF/PL (be it SNP, NDP or otherwise) are enthrenched behind the forms rather than the substance. An Electoral Commision will change absolutely nothing, let me explain and give an example: Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA) more or less ressembles a Commision (or we will probably get a replican of the CAA as Electoral Commision), with the CAA we have managed to get an ex SPPF MNA/Speaker of the National Assembly (probably is still a card carrying member of the SPPF/PL as Preseident of the Highest Court in Seychelles i.e Court of Appeal).
With the CAA we have also managed to get a number of individuals with dubious characters (intellectual and moral) on the bench and recently got another ex SPPF/PL MNA as a Magistrate (who would probably make it to the bench).
We got a Ethics Commision and a law which is only a dressing up exercise. Only the IMF has managed to bring some results on corruption (then only with mixed results), no one has been prosecuted and convicted on corruption. Is that likely to happen?
Vox
Hendricks Gappy who is a puppet for the SPPF Government and Michel is the one who is to blame for this. As Electoral Commissioner, it is his job to ensure that the media gives ample time to all candidates and that there is political debate. But where is Gappy? Driving around in his Government paid car and living off his fat salary for sitting in an office for 5 years and not doing anythign to promote democracy.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, Gappy should be allowing seychellois people overseas to vote. Again, he has done nothing for democracy in Seychelles. He is an SPPF stalwart who is not doing his job and should be fired.
Where is Ramkalawan and Volcere to challenge all this? Why is it that Star has to bring issues like this up? What the hell is wrong with our country's so-called leaders. or are they mere puppets on the SPPF strings?
Vox:
ReplyDeleteThe only democratic media we have in Seychelles is STAR, LAVWA and AKS(what's left of it at least). These are the only ones that practice free speech and do not perform censorship of letters and contributions.
I myself debated strongly against the Gills last year and earlier this year and not once was I censored despite my strong arguments against them. Now that's what I call freedom of speech and I respect them for that.
SNP will never interview anyone else in their paper as long as their leader is Ramkalawan, at least not until the day he himself can tolerate criticism.
Patrick X
Media are essential to the conduct of democratic elections,a free and fair election is not only about casting vote in proper conditions,but also about having adequate information about parties,policies,candidates and the election process so that voters can make an informed choice.
ReplyDeleteIn order to to ensure that freedom,a degree of regulation is required,Government media,funded out of public money,should be required to give fair coverage and equitable access to opposition parties.
The prime concern is the right of voters to full and accurate information.Parties and candidates are entitled to use the media to get their message across the electorate.
Jeanne D'Arc
To Zann Dark,
ReplyDeleteTIKLO agrees with your last post 120%. Sadly, when Wavel as the Leader of the Opposition was given the opportunity to present his and his Party's point of difference to the Seychellois voters in a live debate with France Albert Rene, Wavel instead insulted France Albert Rene by saying and I quote: "Mon pou touzour un pikan lo boyo SPPF" end of quote. And France Albert Rene duly walked out on Wavel and as a result, Wavel created a very bad precedent and to this day, debates will never take place until such time in the near future, some Classy and Sophisticated Opposition Leadership Individuals come along without politics of Vilification, Saboule and Comfrontation.
Their Savoire Faire would be the Key Word. As for Chris Gill, he is "damaged goods" to be relegated to the dustbin of HisStory.
Moin mem TIKLO ki la.