BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A number of changes as to how election results are dealt with is expected to be placed before the Cabinet in the coming days.
Following concerns in 2015 and delays in announcing results for one constituency in 2020, the Electoral Commission has formulated several recommendations following meetings with Attorney-General Vincent Byron.
Among the changes that could be implemented is the counting of ballots at polling stations.
While addressing reporters' questions at the recently held Prime Minister press briefing, Byron explained that after considering the recommendations, they- would then be formally placed before Parliament for consideration.
Though he did not outline all of the plans laid out by the Commission, it is believed that this particular recommendation will find favour with many, as the counting of ballots at a central location is time consuming and frustrating for many in the public.
“... the practice is that once you vote, at the end of the polling day, they’re then transported to a central location, oftentimes causing a lot of delays, a lot of logistics such as security and so forth; but one recommendation is that the presiding officers should count votes at the polling stations before transmitting them to the returning officer,” Byron explained.
On numerous occasions concerns were raised over the way elections are being held in St. Kitts and Nevis and the length of time it takes to count ballots.
Concerns of the latter were thrust under the spotlight in 2015 when ballot counting was stopped during the night after polls had closed, forcing regional leaders to voice their disgust at the incident.
Contacted yesterday (Feb. 14) for a comment on the announcement by the Attorney-General, Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Drew, who in 2020 saw Constituency Number Eight being the last to be announced, said a statement would be made shortly regarding the matter.
Despite that though, the Electoral Commissionis moving full steam ahead, which is headed by Attorney-at-Law Nasibou Butler with former Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Liburd and Attorney-at-Law Jason Hamilton as members.
