⚖️Suriname's new electoral regulations passed

Happy Monday!

This week we cover the changing of Suriname’s electoral regulations as well as increases in funding to run as a political party during the elections. Suriname also celebrated October 10, 1760, the Peace Treaty for Marrons in Suriname.

Constitution and Electoral Regulations passed

• Amendments to the Constitution and Electoral Regulations have been passed, allowing for new representative elections in a historic decision.

• The district-based election system is being replaced with nationwide proportionality, ensuring equal value for every vote.

• President Chan Santokhi has committed to organizing fair and honest elections, with the process now underway for this organization.

• The legislative changes are a result of political negotiations, requiring compromises from all parties. The changes were meant to be minimal while still ensuring the same value for every vote in line with the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

• Despite some disagreements, the goal is to ensure elections take place no later than May 25, 2025, with all factions in the National Assembly contributing to the initiative.

In further election news, participation will now require a far larger deposit on the part of political parties.

• Political parties must pay a deposit of about SRD 750,000 to participate in the upcoming elections, an increase from the previous SRD 96,250 deposit.

• The change in the Electoral Regulations aims to prevent less serious individuals from creating parties and participating in elections.

• The deposit is now set at 1% of the estimated number of eligible voters, expected to be around 300,000, leading to the increased amount. So the deposit is 3,000 multiplied by 250 per voter according to the new electoral regulations.

• While in the prior system, parties could organize and be elected based on participation in one district. The new proportional representation system will replace the previous district-based system, and parties will now participate in all ten districts in the country.

• Political organizations that win at least one seat in the elections will receive a refund of their deposited amount, as will parties with more than 1% of the total votes cast, although some members suggested further discussion on the deposit amount.

• The draft law has passed, however, with the law now going to parliament requiring a two-thirds majority for amending Electoral Regulations.

October 10, 1760 celebration celebrates the freedom of Marrons.

• The Marron group in Suriname are descendants of enslaved people who were forcibly brought to Suriname before they freed themselves from Suriname and fled to the Surinamese interior. As such the Marrons have sometimes been called the most preserved African ethnic group outside of the continent of Africa.

• The celebration on October 10, 1760, celebrates the Peace Treaty between Surinamese Marrons against oppression and for freedom which was agreed between the Dutch colonial company. ,

• On October 10, the day at Independence Square featured various spiritual ceremonies, including dancing in fire, chewing burning wood, and symbolic acts like crawling like snakes.

• Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk became momentarily inspired during a wreath-laying ceremony and pledged to work for the African descendants. The key message was unity for progress, emphasized by 'King Bravo' and African dignitaries.

• The day began with traditional activities to commemorate the signing of peace in 1760 between colonizers and escaped enslaved Africans.

• Several speakers highlighted the struggles before achieving peace. President Chan Santokhi discussed policies and the stability achieved through the sacrifices of the people.

• Brunswijk called for unity, urging descendants to form a close-knit group and take responsibility for their future.

• The African dignitaries emphasized the importance of unity and standing behind Brunswijk. Money distribution was announced, adding to the excitement, and Brunswijk reiterated the unity between ABOP and PL, with a focus on winning the election in 2025.

Optimism on agreement between Suriname and China on debt agreements.

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has optimism that conversations between Suriname and China will lead to a debt agreement aligning with terms offered to other official creditors.

• This is important progress for Suriname as it continues to tackle its debt crisis.

• Recently, the IMF board approved Suriname’s third tranche of funding which totals $600 million granting the government’s request for a waiver of non-compliance based on past measures taken.

• A deal with private bondholders was reached in May, and Suriname looks to continue its recovery with these agreements.