The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is assuring residents that, amid concern and speculation about the arrival of hundreds of African visitors into the country over the past few weeks, those visitors cannot participate in the upcoming January 18 general elections.
The Africans’ arrival has been shrouded in controversy, from confusion over their accommodations to the reluctance of some to speak with local media.
Some have even gone as far as suggesting that they were brought in to ‘pad’ the votes on behalf of the incumbent Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
Supervisor of Elections, Dame Lorna Simon, addressed those suggestions this week, insisting that the protocols in place will prevent anyone who is ineligible from voting.
“It’s impossible. The voting regulations mean the person has to appear in person. If you are a Caricom or global citizen then you would have to be in the country for seven years, live in the constituency for six months, you have to attend the screening at a registration unit where there are scrutineers appointed by both political parties.
“Then, at the point of registration, that’s an application, so your name is placed on a supplementary list because they have the whole month for registration. By the 15th of the following month your name is placed on the supplementary list, persons who are applying for transfers, persons who have died that remain there for 31 days, then you make it onto the next register which is published April, June, October and December.
“So, it is virtually impossible,” Simon said.
Speaking on Observer AM, Dame Lorna also addressed longstanding concerns about the possibility of the votes of deceased persons making their way onto ballots.
“Every April and October those persons’ names are removed but, at some point, you are going to have deceased persons on your list because we depend on the registration officers to get these sheets that are published on Facebook now.
“We also write to the Registrar of the High Court asking for a death certificate but you must recognise that there are some persons who die overseas so sometimes you may not have that information, but in any event whoever the person is they must bring their ID card and if you are deceased, the dead person cannot show up to the polling station.
“So, if you show up with my ID card, we don’t look alike, and here’s also the photo list because remember that was made legal after 2009. So, in addition to the regular list with just name and address, and so you have the photo list, so you match the ID card against the photo list,” she added. (DAILY OBSERVER)
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Common sense dictates that, but of course opposition imps trying desperately to spread fear and hatred. Instead of Limpy Joe referring to the passengers as ” poor black people”, he should rid the GUNMAN off his slate.
Pearl “FOOTS” Quinn
Gladys Potter EMPTY HEAD 🍦 🍨
Franz DeFreitas G-R-E-A-T-F-U-L
Cleon DON’T TELL DADDY HOWDY
Pringle CA-CAPA-TI-TAH and MASKses
Serpent FARMing FOOL & DICTATOR
Peter Redz CAN’T TALK
Jonathan “VOTE ALP”
King Lyadd Lovell Limpy Joe IMF
Alex Browne broke & lonely
Sean LAZY FORNICATOR
APOSTLE SHUGY SIMON Civil servant
Alister “inTERllectual” Thomas
Richard “BULLY BEEF” Lewis ANTI-UWI FIVE ISLANDS
BUT NONE OF THEM EVER!!!! TOOK THE LIFE OF AN UNARMED BLACK GIRL!!! 😢 😭 😢 😭
Absolutely, and I expect a police and security presence at every polling station to look out for any underhand practices.
I know friends who had to wait years and go through hoops to obtain their citizenship. So I’ll be angry at any quick quick election fix by Gaston ‘Desperate’ Browne to allow illegals and the recent African so-called “tourists” to vote in an Antiguan General Election.
Better safe than sorry Ms Lorna Simon …
BRIXTONIAN. Read the following.
ABLP. win ALL. 17 SEATS.
UPP. . 00 SEAT ( 12 CANDIDATES LOSE DEPOSITS)
DNA. 00 SEAT ( ALL CANDIDATES LOSE DEPOSITS )
BPM. …… 00 SEAT
ASOT. MICHAEL. 00 SEAT.
MASSIVE LANDSLIDE VICTORY ABLP. ✌
Eric, I look forward to hearing from you on the 19th of January – don’t hide yourself away. Please!
Upp really desperate. It just make sense for them to create confusion and kill the confidence in these institutions..
Shame on UPP.
Explain yourself properly nah @ Jay Jay? How you mean confusion?
WHAT IS IT WITH ABLP SUPPORTERS AND THEIR SOUNDBITES WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATIONS?
Here’s a tip for you, whenever I correspond on ANR thread’s I give a full explanation of my views … try it sometime or readers will think you dunce.
Just saying boss 👍
Remember, when Brixtonian writes, there’s an EYE-CATCHING – sit-up and take notice – beginning; a CONSTRUCTIVE middle and a POWERFUL and meaningful ending.
My English teachers taught me well!
That’s how I roll … simple really @ Jay Jay
Past events has taught us not to believe a word coming out of this woman’s mouth. I am just asking UPP to be wary of her and make sure every i is dotted and every t crossed as you take an LED light and look over closely every thing she says and does.
Experience is the best teacher. She has been spinning her special magic in that department for years. Notice that she retired, but she was kept on for the elections.
That speaks volumes.
Look at her face. Br-r-r-r-r! Someone just walked on my political grave.
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