Barbados needs urgent civic education to rebuild confidence in its electoral process and systems of governance, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for St Lucy, Ian Griffith, has said.
Griffith warned that misconceptions about voting, particularly among young people, point to a deeper erosion of trust in the political system, arguing that renewed emphasis must be placed on helping citizens understand their civic duty and the importance of informed participation in elections.
Speaking following a press conference at his Checker Hall constituency office, he revealed that a campaign encounter with a child brought the issue sharply into focus.
“One scenario that stood out to me, and this is one that has been disturbing to me, [involved] an eight-year-old boy who actually [asked] me . . . ‘How much will I give him for my vote?’” Griffith said. “I said to him, ‘Well, you can’t even vote, first thing, but why would you think that voting is like that? Why would you think that this electoral process is about that?’ And he said to me, ‘That is what I hear.’”
He described the exchange as symptomatic of a deeper problem. “That was disturbing to the point that it sends a narrative to young persons way below 18 [years old] that this electoral process is what it’s supposed to be rather than seen as your civic duty to ensure that you select a person in the House of Assembly and a government that will govern and seek the progress and the development for a constituency.”
Pointing to what he said was a 30 per cent voter turnout in the February 11 poll, Griffith argued that many Barbadians have lost faith in politics.
“It says something very, very disturbing that the people of Barbados are not really having much faith in the political process,” he said. “I know for a fact that some persons are frustrated with the political process. Some of us don’t look at politicians as genuine and that is a sad case. That is something that we as politicians have to ensure that we change.”
He stressed that rebuilding confidence must begin with education, particularly among young people, about their civic duty and the importance of informed participation in elections.
“We have to educate not only ourselves, but we have to educate some of these young persons on the importance of voting,” he added.
Despite his defeat, Griffith pledged to remain active in St Lucy and to hold the elected representative and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) government accountable on key constituency matters.
Among the issues he said he will keep to the forefront are longstanding water challenges, full transparency surrounding the proposed desalination plant, deteriorating road conditions across places such as Checker Hall, Bromefield, Spring Garden, Pie Corner, Clinketts and Josey Hill, coastal erosion affecting the road at Shermans, and improved facilities, including lighting, at the North Stars Cultural and Social Club.
“I think the people of St Lucy should call for answers,” he said, urging town hall meetings to secure “genuine and honest” updates, particularly from the Barbados Water Authority.
He also repeated his call for consideration of compensation for households affected by prolonged water disruptions.
While congratulating the winning BLP candidate, Griffith made clear that his political work in the constituency is far from over.
“I would like to thank again all the residents of St Lucy who gave me that support . . . . I want to congratulate Mr [Peter] Phillips on his win and the Barbados Labour Party on the resounding win as well,” said Griffith, who made it clear that “This is a movement that is not going to stop right now.” (FW)
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