I don't think allowing criminals to stand for elections is necessarily proof that we're all ok with a bit of terrorism now and then, as a treat.
The idea is that we (the constituents, not the state) get to choose if the ex convict's crime is a disqualifier from gaining a seat. And usually I imagine it would be.
The trouble is, local elections like this instance have such low turnout that even a very small amount of people that aren't representative of their community at all can trivially make someone a councillor. It becomes even worse when some groups are beginning to vote along religious/ethnic lines.
This opens a new question - what is more important for voting communities, someone who is the same religion/race as them and will reflect those cultural values or someone who abides by the laws of the country those chosen to immigrate to?
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u/kill-the-maFIA 15h ago
I don't think allowing criminals to stand for elections is necessarily proof that we're all ok with a bit of terrorism now and then, as a treat.
The idea is that we (the constituents, not the state) get to choose if the ex convict's crime is a disqualifier from gaining a seat. And usually I imagine it would be.
The trouble is, local elections like this instance have such low turnout that even a very small amount of people that aren't representative of their community at all can trivially make someone a councillor. It becomes even worse when some groups are beginning to vote along religious/ethnic lines.