Oranjestad, Aruba - The November 14, 2024 "election debate" organized by the Aruba Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KvK) has received sharp criticism and is considered by many political observers to be an incomplete and misleading event. Without the presence of the Aruba People's Party (AVP), the debate did not meet the characteristics of an official election debate and became a television show rather than a meaningful political discussion.
Absence of AVP Deprives Relevance
The absence of the AVP, a major player in Aruban politics, meant that the event lost its status as a complete and representative electoral debate. Observers argue that for an electoral debate to be recognized as such, it must provide a platform for all registered parties to present their views. When a prominent party is not present, it becomes impossible for voters to make an informed decision. This makes the event become more of a selective presentation rather than an inclusive and democratic exchange of ideas.
An Unbalanced and Incomplete Show
Due to the limitations in participation and the absence of a full spectrum of parties, many political analysts and critics view the CoC debate as a show with a select group of parties. This undermines the credibility of the event and raises doubts about its motives and organization. Instead of being a platform for in-depth, balanced and informative debate, the event degraded into a program from which voters could not get a full picture of political choices.
No Decisions Possible for Voters
It is essential for an election debate to give the audience a complete overview of the various party positions. The absence of the AVP meant that many important issues and alternative views were not discussed. This prevented voters from making informed choices and left the debate incomplete.
Viewership and Relevance for Gen Z
Moreover, the low ratings on digital platforms indicate that the format and content of the debate did not match the expectations of younger generations such as Generation Z. This group is accustomed to interactive and multifaceted forms of media that allow them to be active participants rather than passive spectators. The fact that the CoC stuck to a traditional format reinforced the idea that the debate was not only incomplete, but also outdated.
Conclusion
The CoC's so-called "election debate," due to the absence of a major party and its focus on a select group of participants, lacked the characteristics of an official election debate and functioned more like a television show. This approach undermines the event's value as a tool for voters to consider their political choices. It raises the question of whether the CoC needs to modernize and rethink its approach to reach a broader and more representative audience and promote true democratic engagement.
