Providenciales, TCI, December 14, 2016 – We are counting down 24 hours now before the 2016 General Elections and the stakes are high as some 7,800 people, which is actually only about 23% of the population will decide who gets to govern this British Overseas territory nestled in the Caribbean.
Magnetic Media last night checked in with the Elections office, its Supervisor, Dudley Lewis confirmed that they are ready. Ballot papers are all done, poll workers and returning officers all trained, political parties and independent candidates all briefed about their agents within the polling stations and voters have been exposed to information on how to vote and what they will need in order to vote.
When it comes to what is needed; Lewis said one government issued ID and turning up at your correct polling station – you can get that list of 24 sites on Magnetic MediaTV.com. Only one ID is required, but it is good to have two he says… also said, there will be no indelible ink but there is a finger marking pen to be used as one of the indicators that an elector has already cast their votes.
And for the second General Elections, we do get votes… ONE for the district or constituency candidate of choice and FIVE picks from the All Island or At Large candidate slate. There will be a ballot for the district and a ballot for the At large and the six member Election Observer Mission team, sent in by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will be watching it all. Making and taking notes, recording anomalies and successes for a final report to be presented in short on Saturday and then more extensively later on.
There is no early voting for police or other emergency workers; but they do get preferential treatment, Dudley Lewis said once they turn up at the polls, these essential personnel will be escorted to the front of the line and get to vote immediately.
No liquor is to be sold from midnight to polls closing on Election Day; Police will intervene anywhere where it is found that merchants are selling alcohol and you see those bodacious signs erected to show voters this candidate or that… well if they are visible within the polling area, they must come down tonight.
Polls open at 7am and go until 7pm; at 7pm a member of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police will join the back of the line to indicate the cut off so that anyone who was in line before 7pm will have a chance to select from the 52 candidates who have offered. While there is some voter apathy by our accounts, it is believed that voter turn-out will be high… in 2012, we recorded a voter turnout of a little over 87%.
This is a good time now to like or subscribe or link up or follow Magnetic Media on your favorite social media as our team will be strictly in the business of distributing results… as they come in, we will send them out…that’s what matters most. However several of our media colleagues will have commentary broadcasts, which will prove quite exciting for those wanting more.
Go to our website, MagneticMediaTV.com and decide how you will follow us… we also have a very popular WhatsApp news blast. Connect to that service by calling me at 231-9261, 231-9261.
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