By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 26th June 2020) — The local observation team which monitored the 2020 general elections has noted instances of ballot paper counting spanning more than twenty-four hours in one particular constituency, with suggestions for improvements. At a press conference held on Wednesday 24th June 2020, the NGO Coalition comprising the Christian Councils, Evangelical Associations and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce commented on its executive summary final report.
Chairman of the St. Kitts Christian Council P. Allister Rawlins noted that “following the closing of the polls, the counting of the ballots and declaration for the results took an inordinately long time particularly in two constituencies — St. Christopher One and Eight; especially in Eight where the results were not known for over twenty-four hours.”
The report’s overall conclusion stated: “Despite a number of administrative and organizational setbacks and inconsistencies, the polling day activities indicate that the said elections were administered in a manner where they were free and fair and free from fear. The Mission’s assessment is that the voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or harassment and that the results reflect that the people freely voted for the candidate of their choice.” The observers recommended electoral reform to make counting less time consuming, and the introduction of a preliminary count at polling stations as is done throughout the OECS and CARICOM.