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A Check List for Voting

Barbadians will go to the polls on Thursday, May 24, and while persons may be excited to place their ‘X’ next to the name of the candidate of their choice, there are some areas they need to consider before Election Day.

  1. Have you registered to vote?

According to the Representation of the People Act CAP 12., “A person is not entitled to vote as an elector at an election in a constituency unless he is registered in the register of electors”.

To be included in the Register of Electors, visit your nearest Registration Centre or the Electoral and Boundaries Commission and register. Yes, you may have already made this trip to have your picture taken for your Identification Card but that action alone does not secure your inclusion in the Register.

  1. Are you registered to vote in the constituency in which you reside?

In the event that you have relocated since you registered, you must notify the Chief Registering Officer of such change on the Form 10 set out in the Schedule.  If the Chief Registering Officer is satisfied that you have completed three months ordinary residence in such other constituency, then your name can appear in the appropriate register.

According to the Representation of the People Act CAP 12., “Where a person who is registered as an elector for a constituency has ceased to reside in that constituency, he shall not on that account cease to be qualified to be registered as an elector for that constituency until he has become qualified to be registered as an elector for another constituency.

And remember, a person may not vote in more than one constituency.

  1. Do you have your Identification Card?

If you have misplaced your Identification Card, now is the time to visit either the Electoral and Boundaries Commission or your nearest registration centre to apply for a new one.

Section 6c of the Representation of the People Act CAP 12. states that no person may vote without first presenting their Identification Card. The presiding officer may, however, pardon persons who have satisfactorily proved that they have not been issued with a card or that such card has been lost or destroyed.

For further information on registering to vote and the election process, visit the website of the Electoral Department.

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