Eligible voters should get at
least four hours off to vote
~ No outdoor rallies after Wednesday ~
PHILIPSBURG--Workers who are eligible to vote should be granted at least four hours off to cast their ballots in this Friday’s Island Council elections, announced Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards.
He also reminded political parties contesting Friday’s election that Wednesday, April 18, is the last day for outdoor rallies.
Every employer is obliged to give employees who are eligible to vote “at least four consecutive hours off from work” to vote, in accordance with article 40 of the Island Council Voters Regulation (Publication Sheet 1979, Nr. 2), Richards said. The hours off should be during the voting period 8:00am to 7:00pm.
He said this obligation was not necessary if the employee already had four consecutive hours off from work within the stipulated voting hours.
Richards called on all eligible voters to go out and cast their votes for the elections. He urged voters to “carefully look at their voting cards, before election day, and to acquaint themselves with the polling station in the respective district where they are expected to cast their votes.”
He also encouraged voters to have valid identification when visiting the polling stations. “According to the electoral laws, valid identification consists of an ID card, a passport or a driver’s licence,” he said. “Voters are also reminded to bring along their voting cards when going to their designated polling stations.”
He also referred to article 134 of the penal code of the Netherlands Antilles, which says, “He who intentionally impersonates another person while participating in a legally prescribed election is punished with a prison term of maximum one year.”
He also drew attention to article 131 of penal code, which states: “He who, during a legally prescribed election, obstructs a person from casting his vote freely and unhindered is punished with a prison term of maximum one year.”
He also reminded the public that photographs should not be taken inside polling stations and mobile phones must be turned off before entering the polling stations.
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