Archive of posts from Saba-News.com Archive Saba News
The Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament wants the Dutch government’s reaction to the results of the referendum in St. Eustatius. This writes The Daily Herald.
The committee agreed on Thursday with a proposal of Member of the Second Chamber Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) to send a letter to Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk. The letter was sent the same afternoon. Van Raak explained that he wanted clarity considering the fact that a majority of the people who voted had voted for St. Eustatius to become an autonomous country within the Kingdom, while at the same time most people had decided not to cast their votes in Wednesday’s referendum. “People in St. Eustatius seem to be divided over their constitutional future. That discussion will have to take place on the island. But in the meantime, I want a reaction of the Dutch government,” stated Van Raak.
The referendum was not valid, as only some 45 per cent of the people cast their votes. A minimum of 60 per cent was required for the referendum to be binding. According to the preliminary results, 747 people voted for more autonomy, while 374 persons voted for the status quo, remaining a public entity of the Netherlands.
Why are they lamenting about the 60% threshold not being met, and not about the 800+ voting cards that were withheld at the Census Office. How can this not be a grave problem in the Kingdom of the Netherlands …………. An Organic Law – The Right to Vote is blatantly violated, and no mention ……… Where are all the Reporters/Press that were present on Referendum Day on Statia, did they not hear nor see …………. Internationally the results are applauded for the overwhelming vote for Autonomy ……. This is what our Laws have become, where the victims are powerless and the perpetrators are exalted. The People of Statia did all that was accorded them in the Constitution, and it is being stolen from them.