More polling stations among considerations for 2015 Elections!
“I acknowledge the long lines were the biggest challenge we had during this election, especially where voting was heavy…We are going to look at having more polling stations basically in the big areas,” said Supervisor of Elections Juliette Penn in an interview with Virgin Islands News Online.
This issue was expected to be addressed bearing in mind that the number of voters, and even candidates, have been increasing. In the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 8th districts especially, a number of voters had expressed their concern over the inadequate polling stations set up throughout Tortola at the November 7, 2011 General Elections. So 18 polling stations were set up, however, there was only one in Sea Cows Bay, which had one of the largest amount of registered voters, one in the 4th District and two in the 6th and 8th Districts, which are some of the most populated areas in the Territory.
However, Mrs. Penn explained that while more than one polling station may be needed in a district, her office will have to strategize to make sure there are no loopholes for voters to manipulate the system. According to Penn, officers will have to achieve an iron-clad system where a voter would not vote more than once. “In some Caribbean countries, a voter has to dip his finger in ink. But in the Virgin Islands ballot papers are used. So what is to say if there is more than one station in a district that a voter will vote at one and then go to another and vote again,” the Elections Supervisor said, in painting a scenario. She said it would be time consuming if officers had to call each other to confirm if a voter cast his ballot at a different polling station in the district.
Speaking of the new order regarding the counting of the Territorial At Large ballots, where the counting took place at the polling stations rather than one location as was done at the 2007 elections, Mrs. Penn said even though the process was faster this time around it would still be reviewed. “There will be some revision to that. I don’t know if we would want to continue on that route but we will have some time to reflect on how it went.”
Mrs. Penn also told this news agency that as far as she was concerned the process on polling day went well and that there were no hiccups that she was aware of. Asked about the conduct of candidates on elections day, the Supervisor of Elections said there was no code of conduct for the candidates but as far as she knows there was no breach of the constitution regarding elections.
Meanwhile, the Supervisor also commended her staff who worked pre and post elections for ensuring a relatively smooth process. “I think they did a wonderful job, there are several areas for improvements but overall I think they did a good job."
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