Richards strongly appeals to
use democratic right to vote
PHILIPSBURG--Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau Lt. Governor Franklin Richards during a press briefing on Wednesday emphasized the importance of the April 20 election, as it may well be the last election for the Island Council of St. Maarten as the island will assume country status on December 15, 2008.
“In the event that the upcoming election is considered as the election just prior to St. Maarten obtaining country status, it’s imperative that a Kingdom law on transitional regulations is adopted and the next Island Council will be charged with drafting the necessary laws and addressing the required legislation pertaining to the country,” Richards said.
He made a strong appeal to all eligible voters to come out and cast their votes. Polling stations are open from 8:00am till 7:00pm. A total of 14 polling districts and respective polling stations have been designated at which the 19,151 eligible voters may cast their ballots. This (Thursday) evening Richards will be checking the polling stations to see if everything is in order.
In 2003, some 64 per cent of the eligible voters cast their votes. In 2006, it was 60 per cent. “I dare you to surpass the 64 per cent,” Richards said, once again appealing to the people to use their democratic right to vote.
An officer will be on duty at every polling station to make sure that at 7:00pm those who are in the polling station will be able cast their votes. “Everyone standing in front the officer will be able to cast his/her vote. Those standing behind him when the clock strikes 7:00pm will not be able to cast their votes,” Richards explained.
Head of the Census Office Leona Marlin said ads will be placed in the newspapers to show the general public the way to vote so the Main Voting Bureau will accept the votes as valid votes. “Don’t go outside the circle and do not write on the ballot because it will be invalid,” Richards added.
Going again through some of the regulations for Friday’s election, Richards said that in accordance with article 40 of the Island Council voter’s regulation, every employer is obliged to provide his or her employee who is eligible to vote at least four consecutive hours off work, between the hours of voting in order for the employee to cast his/her vote. This obligation does not exist if the employee has four consecutive hours off from work within the hours in which he or she can cast his/her vote.
Richards also advised all persons eligible to vote to carefully look at their voting cards to acquaint themselves with the polling station in their respective district where they are enlisted to cast vote. “Be absolutely sure where you have to go and vote, especially if you are new to an area, if you have never voted at that specific polling station before or if you are a first time voter.”
Before voting, the voter must show a valid identification. According to the electoral law, valid identification can be an identification card, a passport or a driver’s licence. The driver’s licence must be original and not laminated.
Rijna Muller, head officer at Forensic Department of police said that no foreigner’s driver’s licence is allowed as valid identification. People are advised to check that their names on their voting cards and on their identification are correctly spelled, she said.
St Maarten vacation rental
