Minor parties experience difficulties to get on ballot

Dear Editor,

Conversations with leaders and/or representatives of the newer small parties reveal that they are struggling with funding and meeting the requirements to appear on the ballot for the March 2 elections. Everything seems to be going against the minor parties.
The deadline to file nominations, as announced by Gecom, is January 10, some 40 days before the actual voting on March 2. This is the longest period ever allowed before nominating and voting day.

The general trend was about 32 days in all previous elections. The smaller parties can do with the extra week to make the ballot, especially given the fact that the country is coming out of the holiday period when the public is not taking on politicians. No plausible reason has been offered by Gecom why it needs 40 days to prepare a ballot.

It is a heavy burden on small parties to qualify for the ballot, especially that they don’t have much funds to travel around to get signatures to support their list and candidates. People are fearful to sign nominations; worried they will be victimized. The leadership of some minor parties I interacted with said people have told them that they will vote for them and even give them donations off the record, but they don’t want to be identified with the minor parties or sign their nominations for fear of losing their jobs or perks or contracts.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram