Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool slams ‘abusive’ ballot counting system
Dr Vanterpool shared his views with this news site shortly after he returned to the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall this morning, June 9, 2015 to witness the counting of the Territorial At Large votes.
“This is 7:21 on the day following election and we here with a clear lead of the four candidates in the NDP but I think it’s going to be several hours before we know the counting is finished and I think there must be a better system of counting.”
At 10:30am counting officers had not finished tabulating the At Large votes at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.
Dr Vanterpool went on to say that it is very clear the system of counting is not working for the country. “This in my opinion is abuse of the counting officers to have them here all night and by now they are mentally exhausted, and I think that it is important that the electoral system looks to find a better way.”
Abuse of electorate
The prominent Virgin Islander said he thinks it also boils down to the abuse of the electorate and the public that have been waiting all night to hear what the final outcome is even though at this time the trend is very clear that the NDP has won the elections.
“Other places count many, many more votes than this.”
Dr Vanterpool suggested that counting officers be given a break to go home and get some rest but noted, “But of course that would be a very complex thing to shut everything down now. Or probably they need another shift of counters that needs to come in at this stage… I am saying this is also abuse of the public, including us voters who have been staying up all night to find out what the results are.”
He added that while this is something that happens every elections period, 2015 can be deemed the worse of them all.
Dr Vanterpool also shared that the screen on which the results are being projected is very dull making it very difficult to be seen from the back of the Hall. “So for the benefit of the public who are coming to check it out I think they need to put another screen at the back.”
While several reporters from one radio station, a television station and three online news site are still on duty at the place of counting, several others had packed up before the break of day and left. That included the Government Information Services (GIS), which was providing live coverage of the process.
The effects of the long drawn out process obviously had an effect on tabulating officers, which was clear from their postures, as they could not leave the venue.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
21 Responses to “Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool slams ‘abusive’ ballot counting system”
Yes, but the difference is, the Doctors had Decorum and Professionalism (D&P).
Electronic voting is a must for next Elections
Voter Id cards next election
Territorial Ballots should be counted in their respective districts
Voters ID Numbers should not be written on ballot sheets