BVI, 4 June 2015 - The Office of the Supervisor of Elections is reminding the public of Election Offences laid out in Elections Act, 1994 pertaining to the sale of alcohol and employees being given ample time to vote on Election Day.
Section 64 (1) of the Election Act states that “No intoxicating liquor shall be sold, offered for sale, or given away at any premises situated in any electoral district in which an election is being held to which a licence issued under the Liquor Licences Ordinance applies, at any time between the opening and the closing of the poll on polling day.”
Section 65 (1) of the act says that “Every employer shall on polling day, allow to every voter in his employ a reasonable period for voting, and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such voter or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason of his absence during such period.”
Section 65 (2) continues, “Any employer who, directly or indirectly, refuses, or by intimidation, undue influence, or in any other way, interferes with the granting to any voter in his employ, of such period for voting, as in this section provided, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars and to imprisonment for six months.”
On Polling Day which is June 8, the act says that “No person shall furnish or supply any loudspeaker, bunting, ensign, banner, standard or set of colours, or any other flag to any person with intent that it shall be carried, worn or used on motor cars, trucks or other vehicles, as political propaganda on polling day. And no person shall with any such intent carry, wear or use on motor cars, trucks or other vehicles, any such loudspeaker, bunting, ensign, banner, standard or set of colours, or any other flag on polling Day.
With regards to the media, Section 67 (4) says that “No person shall broadcast any item on polling day or any television or wireless transmitting station which would tend to promote or procure the election of any candidate of any political party.”
The Supervisor of Elections is reminding persons that cell phone use is not allowed in the polling stations and persons should refrain from using their mobile devices when at the polls. Persons would be asked by Election Officials to leave such devices in their care while voting.
The public is also reminded that they are to bring Government issued identification such as a passport, driver’s license or Belonger Card to the polls, but if they do not have one, they will not be deterred from voting.
For further information, contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at telephone numbers 468-4380 or 468-3701 extension 4380 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located on the ground floor of the Ulric Dawson Building, No. 6, Russell Hill Road, Road Town, Tortola.
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