标签： Barbados

In a significant appeal on election day, Dennis De Peiza, General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), issued a powerful call for the incoming administration to recognize the labour movement as an essential partner in national governance. Speaking to Barbados TODAY after casting his ballot at St Stephen’s Primary School, De Peiza emphasized that respect and dignity must form the foundation of this critical relationship.

De Peiza simultaneously urged citizens to actively participate in the democratic process, highlighting the hard-earned privilege of voting that many global citizens lack. He connected emerging voter apathy directly to a concerning erosion of trust in political institutions, suggesting that this disillusionment stems from perceived failures in transparency and accountability among public officials.

The labour leader presented a compelling argument about the cyclical nature of political behavior, noting that younger generations learn from observing their elders. He warned that when leaders demonstrate ‘cowardly’ or questionable conduct, they establish dangerous precedents that risk corrupting both present and future democratic practices. De Peiza advocated for a system grounded in exemplary performance and actions aligned with established best practices and norms, asserting that only through such standards can confidence in governance be restored.

In a dramatic pre-election development, a Christ Church man faces legal consequences for orchestrating a viral social media hoax targeting Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate Wilfred Abrahams. Akeem Renaldo Durant, 27, pleaded guilty to charges of malicious communication under the Computer Misuse Act after posting fabricated content alleging Abrahams had distributed cash through campaign envelopes.

The incident unfolded on Monday when Durant published a video showing himself opening what appeared to be an election circular containing currency notes, falsely attributing the money to Abrahams. Although Durant subsequently retracted his claims in a follow-up video, describing the original post as a joke and offering apologies, authorities determined the damage had already been done. The Barbados Police Service moved swiftly to arrest and charge the individual as the nation prepared for snap general elections.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna at Oistins Magistrates’ Court, Durant was granted bail set at $5,000 with one surety. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for the coming Monday, where he could face penalties including substantial fines or imprisonment under Barbados’ cybercrime legislation.

Abrahams, who serves as Home Affairs Minister in the outgoing Mottley administration, expressed profound disappointment over the incident. The BLP candidate for Christ Church East revealed the personal and professional toll of the fabricated allegations, noting that the false claims forced him to divert crucial campaign resources to address the controversy during the election’s final hours.

The minister emphasized the broader implications of such digital misinformation, stating: ‘This incident not threatened my personal reputation but compromised the integrity of our entire electoral process. Our volunteers who prepared campaign materials, our party’s credibility, and even international perceptions of Barbados’ democratic systems were potentially undermined.’

Abrahams acknowledged receiving overwhelming support from constituents and international observers who recognized the allegations as false. However, he highlighted the dangerous precedent such actions establish for political discourse in the digital age, particularly noting how quickly unverified content can circulate globally.

Section 14 of Barbados’ Computer Misuse Act explicitly prohibits electronic communications intended to cause distress, anxiety, or inconvenience, with penalties reaching $50,000 in fines, five years’ imprisonment, or both. The timing of this case, occurring mere hours before national elections, underscores the growing challenge of digital misinformation in democratic processes worldwide.

As Barbados prepares for pivotal elections this Wednesday, political experts are analyzing the most qualified candidates to assume the crucial role of Attorney General in the incoming administration. With the swearing-in of a new Prime Minister and Attorney General scheduled for Thursday, political scientists Devaron Bruce and Peter Wickham have provided exclusive insights into potential appointments under both major political parties.

The current Attorney General, Dale Marshall, will remain in his position until his successor is formally inaugurated following his recent announcement retiring from elective politics. Constitutional protocols mandate that the prime minister and chief legal adviser must be sworn in before other cabinet members to lead the new government.

Regarding the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), analyst Bruce identified three prominent legal professionals as strongest contenders: Michael Lashley, Gregory Nicholls, and Kerrie Symmonds. Symmonds, candidate for St James Central, received particular emphasis for his extensive litigation background and senior party status. “His ministerial experience, including in Foreign Affairs, makes him a compelling candidate,” Bruce noted. Michael Lashley (The City candidate) was recognized for his criminal law expertise, though Bruce highlighted potential challenges transitioning from defense attorney to chief law enforcement officer. Gregory Nicholls (St Thomas) was praised for his constitutional law foundation and legislative defense experience in the Senate.

For the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Bruce suggested Verla Depeiza (potentially through Senate appointment), Neil Marshall, and Corey Greenidge as possible options. He expressed reservations about Greenidge’s experience level while identifying Marshall as potentially the most qualified due to his constitutional law and litigation background.

Pollster Peter Wickham presented a more concise assessment, highlighting Wilfred Abrahams (BLP Christ Church East) as a logical successor given his experience as acting Attorney General and current role as Minister of Home Affairs. Regarding DLP possibilities, Wickham suggested former parliament member Adriel Brathwaite might return through Senate appointment, while expressing uncertainty about other candidates’ suitability.

Both analysts noted that under Westminster tradition, parties typically announce their intended Attorney General selection before election day, providing voters with this information when heading to the polls.

In a significant campaign pledge, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) contender Ryan Walters has committed to a comprehensive transformation of educational infrastructure and youth development initiatives in St Michael North West should he secure victory. Addressing constituents at a political gathering, Walters highlighted the critical state of disrepair plaguing multiple educational institutions, including Deacon’s Primary, Eagle Hall Primary, St Stephen’s Primary, St Stephen’s Nursery, and Ellerslie Secondary School. He asserted that years of neglect have severely compromised the learning environment, directly impacting student welfare and academic performance. Walters specifically criticized incumbent representative Neil Rowe for ineffective leadership, alleging that his efforts were limited to writing letters that were subsequently ignored by colleagues. The cornerstone of Walters’ educational agenda involves either a complete reconstruction or extensive refurbishment of Deacon’s Primary, which he described as an ‘ageing plant’ creating unacceptable conditions for students. Furthermore, he vowed to address surrounding environmental hazards, such as overgrown vegetation attracting rodents, which pose health and safety risks. Beyond physical infrastructure, Walters announced plans to launch an after-school literacy program and reinstate academic scholarship schemes to reward student excellence, initiatives he noted were successfully implemented during previous DLP administrations. In a bold move to tackle community divisions, Walters proposed establishing a St Michael North West Youth and Culture Club. This initiative aims to unite young people from various communities including Deacon’s Farm, Free Hill, Pile Bay, Cave Hill, and Black Rock through cultural activities like steel pan and stilt walking, alongside skill development workshops. Walters emphasized that fostering early friendships and cultural appreciation is essential to breaking cycles of violence and creating a safer, more cohesive constituency where youth can interact freely without fear.