Pointe Blanche:--- The number two candidate on the United People's Party Slate Gracita Arrindell said she still stands behind her belief that voters should not sell their votes and that politicians should not engage in vote buying. Over the years Arrindell spoke openly about how certain politicians especially about her now party leader has engaged in buying of votes to win elections. Asked about that on Wednesday Arrindell said she still stands behind her statements she made in the past, however, when asked what she has to say now about the long lines of people that are seen at the UP head office in Pointe Blanche, Arrindell said she was told that the persons who are in the lines are there to sign the membership forms. Arrindell also confirmed that people has approached her asking for things but she did not say if she has complied with the request of the voters to supply material things they asked for in exchange for their votes.One source said Arrindell has given out cheques to people who said they needed monies to buy spectacles and other medical supplies. The number two candidate on the UP slate and former island council lady said very soon the law on integrity that restricts vote buying will be implemented and this is a law she fully supports.
SMN News was called on several occasions including Tuesday night to witness the amount of people that are standing outside the UP leader's campaign office in Pointe Blanche. One source close to the party said that people have been asking the UP leader Theo Heyliger for all sorts of things. "Some of the people even police officers are asking for flat screen television while some want a blackberry phone or laptop, freezers, stoves and fridges are on the request sheets that were filed in by these potential voters. Besides that there are people who asked for school fees while others wanted money or food hampers. A man brought 180 voting cards and he was offered $200 the source said. "Those at the head office would have these people fill out a form and they would take copies of their identification cards to verify if those persons requesting money or material things are eligible to vote. Then they would tell the people they are going call them back" the source continued.
This is ridiculous said one UP supporter saying that the voters on St. Maarten have no pride and dignity and that they would even sell their votes for material things not taking into consideration the implications this would have on how their country will be governed.
Another UP supporter who asked to remain anonymous said that St. Maarteners have become beggars in their own country. He said the late Dr. Claude Wathey is the one who trained the people to beg when its election time and that is one of the legacy his grandson is continuing. "Imagine we were able to get rid of that to a large extent when the late Dr. Wathey left politics but the minute his grandson formed his own party he brought back the same tactics."
It is alleged that while the potential voters are filling in their request forms in Pointe Blanche at the UP head office, the actual distribution of items are done on the Board Walk where the UP launched its party some weeks ago.
SMN News contacted the UP leader Theo Heyliger for a comment on the lines of people at his headquarters and he said SMN News should take a photo of the people who are standing at the Government Administration Building to get things too. Later he said his official statement is that "I am meeting with people and that is what the headquarters is about. The National Alliance meets with people at the government building, I meet with people all over including our headquarters." Despite saying he is meeting with people Heyliger did not deny if people are asking him for monies or things in exchange for their votes.
Another UP supporter said that is something that has to change because they are not supporting the lawlessness that is currently taking place on St. Maarten when it comes to selling and buying of votes.
A candidate on the UP slate said the UP leader did not even give them monies to campaign and they are told when someone ask them for anything they should take the people to the UP headquarters who would deal with the people from there.
Also at the government administration building a number of people are there trying to meet with the commissioners to see what they could get for their votes. Many of the people this reporter spoke to said they need a place to live or a secure job from government.