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“[…] In the news just recently, we had a case of a sitting MP evading a collection agency over a TT$600,000 debt. This is in addition to him having an outstanding defamation order in the amount of TT$500,000. Another aspirant to public office has multiple defamation judgements pending against and owes over TT$1.5 million as a result.
“What would you assume to be the outcome should either man, once elected, be approached by the individuals to whom he owes money, to perform a service or favour in lieu of their debt? […]”
The following Letter to the Editor on the supposed need for legislation debarring persons with outstanding financial orders to run for public office in Trinidad and Tobago was submitted to Wired868 by George Elias of Cascade:
Today I am writing to urge lawmakers to amend the Representation of the People Act to bar individuals with outstanding financial orders, such as unpaid debts or court-ordered damages, from running for public office in Trinidad and Tobago.
Public office demands integrity and financial responsibility. Allowing candidates with unresolved financial liabilities to contest elections undermines trust and raises concerns about their ability to manage public funds. Just as criminal convictions can disqualify candidates, so too should significant financial misconduct.
In the news just recently, we had a case of a sitting MP evading a collection agency over a TT$600,000 debt. This is in addition to him having an outstanding defamation order in the amount of TT$500,000.
(Copyright Office of the Parliament 2024.)
Another aspirant to public office has multiple defamation judgements pending against and owes over $1.5 million as a result.
What would you assume to be the outcome should either man, once elected, be approached by the individuals to whom he owes money, to perform a service or favour in lieu of their debt?
Can they truly be relied upon to place the public interest ahead of their own self-interest? Are we willing to take that chance?
With all due respect, neither should be allowed to run for office until these serious financial obligations are resolved—be it via payment or as a result of a reversal of the judgement on appeal.
Other nations enforce similar rules to ensure candidates meet financial responsibility standards. This reform would enhance public confidence and deter those seeking office for personal gain rather than public service.
Legislators must act to uphold ethical governance. Those managing public funds should first demonstrate responsibility in their own affairs.
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Interesting, what about others who are using the electoral process and winning as an opportunity to scuttle ongoing imvestigations into previous (alleged) misdeeds committed while in office? This is where ordinary citizens/patriots have to intervene and put a stop to these acts. Forget the party you and the rest of your village accustom voting for and think about your future, your family’s future and the nation’s future. Put a stop to any attempts to use you and your vote as human shields in any attempt to escape the law. Then again trump with over 30+ guilty charges against him stormed into the whitehouse as the 47th elected U.S. president so expect anything.