The Constitution of Sint Maarten: When It Is Time to Vote

Since the birth of Sint Maarten on October 10, 2010, the constellation of the parliament of Sint Maarten has changed multiple times. In The Constitution of Sint Maarten, author Hensley G. A. Plantijn offers a look at the country and its laws and regulations.

An expert in constitutional law, Plantijn reviews some key points, providing a look at:

- the history of the parliament of Sint Maarten;

- maintaining transparency in the elections;

- election rights and the election ordinance:

- what happens after the elections; and

- Article 59 of the constitution.

Plantijn discusses that free, transparent, and secret elections are the cornerstones of democracy, and that Article 59 is also part of the system of checks and balances in the parliamentary system. He contends the electorate needs to be aware of the relevant laws and regulations regulating the elections and functioning of the representative parliamentary system.