CoI insinuates HoA District Allocation $$ is ‘vote-buying'
‘Monies are distributed to voters’ - CoI Council
During today’s, June 14, 2021, Hearing Day 10 and via questioning to At-Large representative, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Mr Rawat had asked her whether the monies given to her as part of her role in public office and as an elected member of the House of Assembly (HoA) could be seen as vote-buying.
“Viewed from the outside, it might be said that the ability of an elected representative to have a fund of money that can be distributed to voters, carries with it the risk of undermining public confidence, doesn’t it,” he said.
While Rawat assured that his opinion was not an opinion, rather a hypothetical question, de Castro responded that she cannot state whether his comments was the case or not.
Insight about UK views on VI shared?
“How do you guard against the allegation that it looks like vote-buying?’ the Councilor further asked. Rawat; however, did not say the source of such allegations or who had made the allegation or whether that was the opinion of the United Kingdom (UK).
Within the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), for over 24 years, Members of the House have received district allocations to aid with the responsibility as representatives.
According to the commission, the monies given to each representative represent about $150,000 annually, totalling some $1.9 million combined for all representatives.
$$ accounted for– Hon deCastro
While Hon de Castro indicated that she has no objection to having the use of the funds made public, the CoI commissioner said there doesn’t seem to be any checks and balances on how it is used.
Noting that the district allocations are being accounted for, Hon de Castro said members first have to forward an application to the HoA office for approval ahead of the utilisation of funds.
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48 Responses to “CoI insinuates HoA District Allocation $$ is ‘vote-buying'”
That money is supposed to be there for the elevation of our people and act as financial lubricant for societal suffering.
Yes it can be misused as most things in this world can be, however there is a point at which being politically correct and overly transparent becomes corrosive to the fabric of a healthy society with representatives that speak on behalf of voters.
This whole thing about corruption stems from “jungle politics”.
As the colonizer how do you rule a country of a different race and stay in control?
Make everything extremely fair. Use that as the cry to solidify a system where the colonizers are the only ones able to break the rules and have agency in social empowerment.
First insinuate that government funds should never be used to assist ground level people this is vote buying yadda yadda
They expect families disempowered by colonial oppression to continue to struggle, while official government coffers and crime soars. Then they come back in saying they’re taking charge “because the people can’t take it anymore”.
All because of the situation they created where it’s wrong for authorities to help the public in any meaningful way. All that is good in their eyes are spending money in construction, and outdoor hang out spots termed cultural centers. The way we live & how society is currently constructed is only one way.
When it was a plantation society that was another way. They took their sugar profits & still live good on our ancestors backs.
Yet its wrong for us to have a district fund from the money government earns.
I have never received district funding. I see it as a good tool to avoid problems created by hardship. We need more education because government should be for the people. Anytime they help someone it’s a controversy.
We’ve forgotten that was the traditional role of a leader.
Ayo always quick to call his name, yet when he was treated like a dog no one said anything.
Let Mr. Noel Lloyd rest in peace.
This what happens when you are brainwashed to think white is right. Heres a tip for you so call politicians, imagine these racists are the people you have labelled as 'down island' (no offense, sarcasm intended) asking you the nature of those questions...now respond! How come cat got your tongue it seems.
How can this ar$@ (rat) who have no knowledge whatsoever of bvi ways make such insinuations. What is his insinuation based on...his experience in the UK? Is that what it's called in the UK - voter buying? That would make the donations to politicians and their parties politician buying yes? Donkey, no bvi does not have a benefits system that people defraud to afford big holidays, etc. We have ministers appointed for each district who hear the voice of the people and would have a more personable connection. We are living in unprecedented times (a pandemic) which called for unconventional but novel ways of doing things. If you would like to suggest that there is a better way of doing what the government decided upon doing to prevent against abuse of power, then do so. After you INQUIRE. Is it a commission of inquiry or a commission of Insinuations (arsy insinuations at best)???
Furthermore, this one-man commission, how is that even a thing in these modern days and times. The ignorance of the scummbags are telling and they obviously need 2 more commissioners, 1)someone from BvI with insight on BVi and 3)a neutral person (layman), if they are up to anything good. This whole process is to be scrutinised, including the reason why it was called in the first place by an unqualified spoilt brat who did not have the leadership skills to win the influence and trust of his peers nor the experience to bring about meaningful policies in the public service which could have addressed any and all concerns that are being raised. In any large organisation one man does not make a decision...you have a board. So how the hell can one man make any findings on a whole country.
Anyways, ever heard of Jehovah! He's bigger than all this and he always protects his people (your ancestors may not have told you), so carry on!
now the descendants of the slave masters are back in the british virgin islands giving instructions to the descendants of the slave?????
those we vote to take our country to another level did not do a good job-we had fair leadership from the 50s to the 90s as money began flowing so went integrity of our leadership
stop running to the governor's house when you have disagreements within the 13 elected
our country will be setback another 50 years when the sons of our former slave masters end their fact finding mission in the british virgin islands
keep the faith or run talk that
“Our country” would mean independence, which would mean there was no one to check what the politicians do.
this level of conversation is not for 10 year olds
Can you really tell yourself that a measly yearly fund for the community aiding seniors, vulnerable mothers and all kinds of heart tugging situations is evil?
Because that’s what is implied by the word corruption.