Editorial Election intimidation

The exercise of the right to vote is at the core of the whole concept of the democratic process. Whenever it is threatened, so is that process.

As the Northern Ireland elections approach their final week, alarming stories are appearing from different constituencies, with some candidates alleging threats or acts of intimidation being made against them by the supporters of their rivals. The most reported incident occurred in West Tyrone, where a tight race is being run between two high-profile nationalist candidates, Brid Rodgers of the SDLP and Pat Doherty of Sinn Fein, who are seeking to oust anti-agreement Ulster Unionist Willie Thompson.

Thompson’s grip on the seat depends of a split nationalist vote, so both Rodgers and Doherty are fighting desperately to establish the kind of lead in the polls that would swing other nationalists in their direction and thus avoid the sort of even division of the Catholic vote that allowed the Unionists to take the seat in 1997.

According to Rodgers, who was parachuted into the constituency by a party eager to capitalize on her high profile as minister of agriculture in Stormont, she has been subjected to verbal abuse, her election workers have been threatened, and her posters have been systematically taken down. The finger is pointing at Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein have denied it vehemently, and accused Rodgers of using smear tactics out of a sense of panic because she knows she is losing the battle.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is reporting attacks on its candidates. In North Antrim, a Sinn Fein election worker had his car set on fire. Another, a candidate for local office, said he was threatened by thugs with hatchets in Newtownabbey, near North Belfast.

Sinn Fein members are no strangers to threats — 13 have died at the hands of loyalist killers over the years. The SDLP, too, has suffered in the past, both from fellow nationalists who disgraced the name of republicanism with attacks on John Hume’s home, and from loyalist assassins.

Nationalists are not the only ones embroiled in allegations and counter allegations. David Trimble’s election team fighting to retain the UUP leader’s seat in Upper Bann are reporting intimidation, with their candidate being subjected to verbal abuse such as being called "traitor." There are some areas of his constituency where, it is claimed, he is afraid to canvass.

These incidents remind us that in Northern Ireland, violence was for a long time a political method, one used to try to terrify opponents into submission. They also remind us that feelings about politics run deeply there, thanks to generations of conflict, much more so than in any ordinary democracy.

But Northern Ireland never was an "ordinary" democracy. It is now struggling to become one. And part of that struggle involves tolerance for your political opponents and their right to organize on behalf of their opinions and candidates. Thuggery has no place in such a scheme of things, no matter from what source it may emanate.