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FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
VOLUME 109, No.37
www.thevincentian.com
COURT ACTION NOT NEEDED STORIES BY DAYLE DA SILVA
SYLVIA FINDLAY, this country’s Supervisor of Elections, is of the opinion that taking legal action to pursue a matter in which persons who were alleged to have registered in constituencies outside of those in which they reside, is unnecessary. Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN in a telephone interview, Findlay explained that there have been instances before where politicians or private citizens have raised objections against individuals registered to vote. And up until now, she said, if there was an issue with regard to registration, the Supervisor would be consulted and the matter resolved.
“These are issues that can easily be dealt with,” she posited. Once there are any errors, the Electoral Office will look into them, and the relevant adjustments made, she assured. Findlay was responding to comments made by the Leader of the Opposition,
Registering Officers are usually persons from or who know the communities to which they are assigned.
The registration process has thrown up some discrepancies, according to the opposition NDP. Inset: Sylvia Findlay, Supervisor of Elections, sees no reason why the concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition cannot be settled out of court. (Photo Credit: HITZ FM). Arnhim Eustace, that he intended to take legal action against persons who were discovered to be registered in the constituency that he represents, East Kingstown, but were not living there. He started the process of revealing the names of some of these individuals on August 31, adding that he would be taking legal action against the Registering Officer. Eustace also announced that other candidates for the New Democratic Party (NDP) would be taking similar measures to ensure that persons are not registered to vote illegally. Findlay confirmed
Wednesday that the Office received a letter from Eustace on September 2; it was dated August 31. She told THE VINCENTIAN that her Office would be conducting its own investigations into the matter. In respect of whether there exists a procedure to verify the information submitted for a new registered voter, or an individual transferring in from another constituency, Findlay admitted that there was none. Unless they are instructed to check, then the staff at the electoral office will not do so. Continued on Page 3.
EC$1.50
‘My aim is not to scare,’ Eustace LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Arnhim Eustace said that it was not his intention to frighten people, as has been alleged by at least one individual. While speaking at a rally to mark the opening of the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Central Kingstown constituency office at the Redemption Sharpes Playing Field last Saturday, Eustace said that he heard on radio that an individual had accused him of calling his name, and that Eustace was trying to frighten young people. The leader of the opposition, on Monday, August 31, began the process of making names public, of individuals he says have been identified as having registered to vote in his constituency, East Kingstown, but are not eligible to do so because they are not resident there. But as was reported by one local online media source, the individual, who was identified at Shavis Trimmingham, accused Eustace of including his name as an illegal voter although this was not so. He further stated in a telephone call in to Star Radio last week, that he was shocked that Eustace and fellow Opposition Parliamentary Representative, St Clair Leacock, would both go on radio and try to scare young people from voting. However, Eustace responded last Saturday saying: “I understand that there is a fella who went on the radio and said that I called his name and I trying to frighten young people. “I don’t want to frighten anyone. If you wrong, you must pay the price, and if the price is jail, you must go to jail,” Eustace said. Past generations fought for the right to vote, the leader of the opposition continued, and therefore, the right to vote must be something that must be defended. “That is what our ancestors fought for, and they battle after much trouble, and they want to take it away by violating the very adult suffrage that we sought, and allow people who are ineligible to vote in a particular area. Ralph, you gotta stop that now!” he affirmed.