Perhaps the best thing about Thursday’s election was a the turnout with 14,678 of in total 22,580 eligible votes cast, for a voting percentage of 65% compared to 59% four years ago. Along with the usual peaceful, courteous and respectful way St. Maarten goes to the polls, that means the people can rightfully be called winners.
As for results, they were extremely late coming in, with seven voting bureaus still pending around 5:00am Friday. At that time it appeared the current National Alliance (NA)/United People’s (UP) party coalition would lose its former majority in Parliament, be it by only one seat, with four and three seats respectively for a combined seven out of 15. They might seek a third partner to broaden that support, but different options could also be on the table for either. Although still the two biggest parties, they could both conceivably also end up in the opposition benches if all the others were to combine their eight seats.
Newcomers United Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) and Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) did well with two seats each, the same amount that Party For Progress (PFP) earned its first time on the ballot in 2020 and apparently managed to keep four years later. The return of the Democratic Party (DP) may be considered successful with two seats as well.
The voters have spoken, but it’s up to persons they elected to form the next government and nominate a Council of Ministers. Keep in mind that the latter do not have to be the biggest vote-getters or even appear on any candidate list.
The possibility was raised of one-man Empire Culture Empowerment (ECE) getting two seats or more. This situation did not occur, but it would have been interesting to see what happens then. Probably in part because a first seat must be earned outright before qualifying for any residual ones, United St. Maarten Party (USP) failed to make it as well.
The question whether the NOW’s number two candidate suspended Member of Parliament (MP) Claudius “Toontje” Buncamper would be sworn in and then suspended again pending his appeal against a bribery conviction if elected likely will not have to be answered, because two others in the party have more personal votes than he does.
If these preliminary results are confirmed by the Central Voting Bureau, citizens have chosen their representatives for in principle four years. May they be guided by integrity, wisdom, compassion and love for country.
