WILLEMSTAD – The Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) and the Electoral Council are issuing a stern warning about the illegal practice of vote buying or selling ahead of the March 21 elections for the new Parliament of Curaçao. Political parties are currently campaigning to secure as many votes as possible, and the authorities are reminding the public that such activities are punishable by law.
Vote buying or selling is considered bribery under electoral law and can result in a sentence of up to two years in prison, as outlined in Article 2:44 of the Penal Code. Additionally, photographing a ballot – for example, as “proof” of a vote exchange – is prohibited under Article 68a of the Electoral Regulations.
The Public Prosecutor's Office stressed that election fraud undermines trust in democracy, saying, “This is why we take these signals very seriously. Free and secret elections are at the core of the democratic rule of law. Every voter must have the opportunity to cast their vote without pressure or influence.”
Authorities are calling on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Concerns can be reported to the Electoral Council, the police, or the National Detective Agency (Landsrecherche).