Dear Editor, Here’s a question that I keep asking myself, why is it that we seem to be vote buying at every election and despite several court cases, the evidence has been found wanting. Yet we know damn well that it goes on. I have personally experienced this myself in my last campaign in 2022.

The other question is why do we vote into power, politicians who to be quite frank are undereducated, are not prepared for political office and seem to think that bribing and treating is the way to get into political office in the Cook Islands.

If you were a free-thinking person, would you consider that providing a bribe, mowing lawns, transport for potential voters, cutting hedges, removing trees, offering goods and services, other benefits and treats to gain a voting advantage in an upcoming general or other election is not considered corruption in the Cook Islands.

I am adamant that providing goods, services, or other benefits like mowing lawns, offering transport, cutting hedges, removing trees, or any other kind of advantage to potential voters in exchange for their support in a general election is generally considered a form of corruption known as vote buying.

Like direct bribes, these actions undermine the principle of free and fair elections. They manipulate voter choice by offering tangible incentives that sway voters’ decisions not based on policy or candidate merit, but on immediate personal gain.

Most legal frameworks explicitly prohibit any actions that could be construed as vote buying, including offering any form of goods, services, or benefits in exchange for votes. This includes indirect methods such as providing transportation or other assistance aimed at influencing voter behaviour.

Offering services like lawn mowing or tree removal to secure votes creates an unfair advantage. It distorts the electoral process by prioritising those with resources to offer these benefits over candidates who may be more qualified or better suited for office but choose not to engage in such practices.

Such practices erode the foundational values of democracy by reducing the election process to a transaction rather than a civic duty based on informed decision-making.

Providing goods, services, or any other benefits to influence voters in a general election is in my mind corruption. It undermines the integrity of the electoral process and is typically illegal, as it compromises the fairness and legitimacy of the election.

The stated, “it has always been done this way” is plainly wrong, and a cop out and shows that the integrity of people’s so called Christian principles and values can easily be bought.

Unfortunately Cook Islanders are turned into a nation of welfare beneficiaries each general election, just waiting for the next hand out.

For those who voted Cook Islands Party in the 2022 general elections, how’s that going for you now that you will have to pay a water tariff, the CIP Govt is clear on this, petition or not.

As a member of several FB pages, my recent read was someone posting an attack on politicians for some decision decades ago in which glass milk bottles were replaced by plastic. The result is that we now have millions of tonnes of waste plastic that is a major environmental issue for the people.

TBH (to be honest) being a wanna be politician myself, my take is that it is not the politicians that should be blamed for the decision to replace glass milk bottles with plastic. Don’t blame the politicians for taking advantage of the system, blame the undereducated constituents, who vote on emotion and are ripe for exploitation and who continue to vote these people back in.

Let’s face it, people have short memories and continue to put these people back into power. We reap what we sow. Every lolly and trinket that is handed out to keep the people safe, healthy and to prop up their lifestyles, comes at a cost. There are no freebies despite what one is told. People quickly forget that the money and resources to do this comes from their pockets, their earnings, VAT, tax, PAYE, this fee that fee and every other fee under the sun. That’s where the blame needs to go.

My perspective touches on several important aspects of governance and public accountability. While it’s easy to place blame on politicians for decisions that have long-term consequences, like the switch from glass to plastic bottles, it’s crucial to recognise the broader context in which these decisions are made. Politicians often respond to the pressures of their constituents, who may not always be fully informed or may prioritise short-term gains over long-term sustainability.

In the Cook Islands most voters could care less about the issues facing us as a nation. All they are interested in is what’s in it for me, the cartons of chickens, the kai kai, the jobs for the boys, the favourite person in the community, this is their motivation for voting.

Where constituents vote based on emotion or immediate benefits without considering the long-term costs, is a common challenge in many democracies. Educating voters and fostering a more informed electorate could lead to better decision-making at the polls, ultimately resulting in policies that are more sustainable and beneficial in the long run.

The importance of understanding the true cost of “freebies” and the impact of these decisions on future generations is a critical point for anyone interested in public policy. Alas we still have a long way to go to get voters onboard and become more aware of challenges we face as a nation.

What will you be doing in the next general elections in 2026, sticking your hands out?

Te Tuhi Kelly

Progressive Party of the Cook Islands

Leader