Residents of the Virgin Islands(VI) turned out in reasonable numbers for a Mock Election testing and familiarizing themselves with the newly introduced electronic tabulator machines. Photo: Team of Reporters

The mock elections are part of an education campaign by the Office of the Supervisor of Elections as it demonstrates the DS 200 Precinct Scanner and Tabulator as well as e-poll books. Photo: Team of Reporters

The simulation is being done using special ‘mock’ ballot with fictitious names, political parties and symbols. Photo: Team of Reporters

The process got started promptly at 10:00 AM today September 26, 2018 and concluded at 2:00 PM.

Prompt at the opening of the poll stations (the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Road Town, Tortola) were mainly senior citizens and a number of persons for the public sector.

E-Poll

The mock elections are part of an education campaign by the Office of the Supervisor of Elections as it demonstrates the DS 200 Precinct Scanner and Tabulator as well as e-poll books.

The simulation is being done using special ‘mock’ ballot with fictitious names, political parties and symbols.  Participants were given the opportunity to complete the ballot and feed it into the scanner and tabulator.

Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Juliette Penn said that come elections day 2019 he commission is aiming to have at least two tabulation machines at each polling station across the territory, one of which will be a back-up should one develop any challenge/s.

She explained that like will be on the actual polling day in 2019, results will be tabulated and announced following the close of each poll.

Manual Process 

Another proposed improvement for the next General Elections is the use of e-poll books. The manual process of recording voters is expected to be phased out for the next General Elections. Persons at the Mock Elections had the opportunity to see the demonstration of the e-poll books.

A delegation from Election Systems and Software (ES&S), led by Business Development Manager, Mr. Willie G. Wesley Jr. of the USA, is present for the exercises. Mr. Wesley made presentations to the staff of the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections and Members of the House of Assembly earlier this year.

The Office of the Supervisor of Elections will continue its educational campaign in the coming weeks and months on preparations for the next General Elections, including the launch of the voter registration cards.

The Office of the Supervisor of Elections provides with integrity general direction and supervision over the registration of voters; imparts efficient, reliable and courteous service to the general public and is responsible for the administrative conduct of free and fair elections in the Virgin Islands.