THE HAGUE — The organization of the elections of October 19 is an autonomous task of Curaçao. The National Council of Ministers has no authorities on this point, Minister Liesbeth Spies of the Interior and Kingdom Relations replied to questions from Chamber member Martijn van Dam (PvdA).

Van Dam asked which role the Kingdom plays to guarantee fair elections, because according to the PvdA, this falls under guaranteeing good corporate governance. He asked questions after an article in De Telegraaf stated that former premier Gerrit Schotte bribed voters with money, laptops and Blackberry’s. The Lower Chamber member asked if international observers are involved with the elections.

“As regards the monitoring on Curaçao, the government at the time installed a main polling station and its composition was widely considered as balanced in the Curaçao society. According to media reports, this main polling station initially thought the involvement of international observers wasn’t necessary. The recently installed interim-cabinet decided to attempt involving international observers after all with the electoral process”, Spies replied. “The Kingdom does not have a role in monitoring the procedure of the elections. The countries are autonomous and responsible for guaranteeing the democratic legal order and an orderly and lawful proceeding of the elections.”

Van Dam also referred to the recommendations from the Rosenmöller Committee regarding transparency of financing parties. The minister replied that instead of adopting these recommendations the previous government decided to have Transparency International conduct an inquiry into good corporate governance. This inquiry will also include the financing of parties. “Earlier on in a letter the then government of Curaçao wrote that the conclusions of the inquiry would serve as starting point for ‘improvements on all necessary aspects’.