Rene Reehuis rings the bell at Fort Oranje in a call to vote.
ST. EUSTATIUS–A low turnout is expected today, Wednesday, as residents of St. Eustatius can vote in a national referendum to give new phone and Internet tapping powers to the Dutch security services.
An anonymous straw poll conducted Tuesday by The Daily Herald among registered voters on the island reveals only slight interest in the referendum issue.
“I know there is something about voting tomorrow,” commented one young eligible voter. “It’s like an election? But I am not going to vote since I have no idea what it is about. I believe the Dutch Government is part of it. But I have not really been paying attention so I do not feel informed enough to vote on it.”
There has only been one other advisory referendum since the legislation was introduced on July 1, 2015. That was the 2016 vote on the European Union’s treaty with Ukraine.
Unlike the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom which had legislative consequences, Dutch referendums are not binding.
Today, voters in The Netherlands will also exercise their right to choose their local representatives in municipal elections.
Statians questioned about their intention to vote in the referendum were critical about the recent dismissal of the Island Government. “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander,” remarked one interviewee.
The question of privacy in the face of state “snooping” was clearly of some concern. “Public safety and terrorism are important, but who is to say the information collected is not going to be misused by the collectors? I have nothing to hide, but can the Government say the same thing?” remarked one respondent.
Educational consultant and businessman Rene Reehuis remains undecided about how he will vote today; however, his view is distinctly modern.
“Privacy belongs in the home and family and it should stay that way, but for good or bad, social communication through the Internet is challenging the way we look at life and the way we connect with each other.”
Reehuis looks at digitally transparent countries like Estonia where even medical files are posted online. “A modern view that is gaining support is that if I have done nothing wrong, I have nothing to hide. What have I got to lose? I pay my taxes, my views are profiled on Facebook, and my conscience is clear. I am open, and I am direct.”
Not everybody wants to submit to open and public scrutiny, least of all by faceless secret service personnel. “Not enough facts have been communicated about this referendum question,” says Reehuis. “I like referendums as long as they require a high ceiling for success. Brexit with its 50:50 criterion was a bit of a nonsense. Referendums should express strong voices that are listened to and respected. Government or anyone else cannot guarantee a 100 per cent protection of privacy. There are already too many rules and regulations in our society. And there are always tricky ways to escape them.”
Unlike most Statians interviewed, Reehuis is determined to vote. “I shall use my democratic right even though I might feel rather lonely in the polling station.”
Statia’s referendum polling station is at the Lion’s Den, which is opened between 7:30am and 9:00pm.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74863-low-turnout-predicted-for-referendum-on-statia
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