Freedom Fm Newsdesk understands that essential services personnel are preparing to vote on Saturday (February 16th, 2015). Those essential services personnel such as police officers ,fire services, doctors, nurses etc. who decide to vote early must submit a form indicating such, to the Electoral Office by Thursday 12 February.
Last October, the National Assembly Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed by the Parliament. The Act allows for essential services personnel to vote two days before Election Day: this includes doctors, nurses, EMTs, Fire and Rescue, and Police and Defence Force personnel.
Commissioner of Police C.G Walwyn met with Senior Police officers on Tuesday , who advised them of the arrangements made for Saturday (February 16th, 2015).
Boxes for all the polling divisions will be at one voting location in each constituency. The voting locations will be Police Stations in all constituencies except Constituency 2, where the old girl’s school will be used.
Polls will be open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Candidates reportedly can have agents present as per usual.
Boxes will be locked and sealed in the presence of the agents and transported to Police Headquarters in St. Kitts and the Charlestown Police Station in Nevis.
The ballots are to be stored in the Commissioner’s office in St. Kitts and the Assistant Commissioner of Police’s office in Nevis, where they will be under 24-hour surveillance by camera.
Candidates’ agents can be present as well as police security to keep watch. Interested parties can also be granted remote access to monitor the cameras offsite.