EDITOR’S NOTE
ELECTIONS AND VOTING REFORM ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH
The Editor’s Note
It was the American writer and politician, Benjamin Franklin who said that “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” For the experienced Parliamentarian in any democratic system across the Commonwealth, the certainty of elections can be added to that list. Elections are an essential part of the democratic process and allow people to express their democratic rights and have their say in who they want to represent them. The right to vote is a hard fought principle and throughout history, different groups in society have battled to gain the right to participate in elections. This issue of The Parliamentarian focuses
Jeffrey Hyland, Editor The Parliamentarian
on elections and the different reforms to electoral systems and voting rights that have been applied or are being negotiated in the Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth. It also examines how Parliamentarians are working to engage with voters to encourage activity participation in elections.
“Elections are an essential part of the democratic process and allow people to express their democratic rights and have their say in who they want to represent them. The right to vote is a hard fought principle and throughout history, different groups in society have battled to gain the right to participate in elections.”
142 | The Parliamentarian | 2015: Issue Three
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma has written about the Commonwealth Electoral Network (CEN) and speaks of his desire that it establishes a “gold standard” in elections management. Elections and Voting Reforms are examined in several different contexts in this issue: Hon. Raphael Mhone MP (Malawi) outlines the proposed reforms for his country; Robert McDowall (Alderney) observes the challenges of election reform from one of the smallest branches of the CPA; Hon. Sebastien Pillay, MNA (Seychelles) looks at what is required to reform elections in this island nation; and Speaker Hon. Steve Rodan SHK (Isle of Man) looks at 150 years of electoral reform the world’s oldest parliament. Hon. Jordan Brown, MLA (Prince Edward Island, Canada) outlines how a new Committee on Democratic Renewal will help to shape elections for the future.
Corruption in the context of elections are scrutinized by Shri Satya Narayana Sahu (India). The financial aspects of elections are also analyzed: Senator David Smith (Canada) looks at Canadian electoral finance in the 21st
century; Hon. Phillip Paulwell, MP (Jamaica)
reviews the advances in Political Party financing in Jamaica; and Hon. Trevor Khan MLC (New South Wales, Australia) outlines the ‘price in politics’ through political donations and lobbying. The extension of the voting franchise to include more young people in elections is a key election reform in many places across the Commonwealth. Professor Sarah Birch (University of Glasgow) provides an analysis of how different electorates have extended the franchise for parliamentary elections while Anne McTaggart MSP (Scotland) reports on how a music project is encouraging youth engagement in elections in Scotland.
Voter engagement in elections is essential to maintain the democratic process and Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake (Western Australia) looks at the challenges of conducting an election
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