Waterford councillor-elect criticises voting process
Douglas calls for reforms
IN A passionate critique of the current voting system, Waterford councillor-elect Fenley Douglas has raised concerns about the challenges faced by voters during the local government elections.
Speaking with The Gleaner, he highlighted several issues, including long waiting times, i nadequate facilities, and delays in receiving election results.
He expressed dismay at witnessing seniors standing for hours in the sun while waiting to vote at polling stations, with one person reportedly fainting due to the prolonged exposure. He also recounted an incident where a blind man fell when his cane gave way, emphasising the need for better accessibility and accommodation for all voters.
“If this condition persists, it will deter people from participating in elections,” Douglas warned, suggesting that the business class may opt to support political parties financially rather than endure lengthy queues.
Calling for a re-evaluation of the voter-identification process, Douglas is advocating for a more efficient method to verify voters without identification, proposing a revisit to the electronic voter-identification system that was used in previous years.
LENGTHY PROCESS
“What we find, if someone should go without an ID, they are fingerprinted, and several questions posed by the presiding officer. That alone takes up three times the length of time than if they had their ID to present to them,” Douglas argued.
“We need to be more technically equipped to conduct voting i n Jamaica,” he added.
Addressing the issue of overcrowded polling divisions, Douglas proposed breaking them down into more manageable sizes and assigning multiple presiding officers to expedite the voting process. He also stressed the importance of spacious and suitable polling stations to facilitate mass voting.
“While we continue to say polling stations are ready, what see are makeshift arrangements in classrooms. The time has come for the EOJ and ECJ to use spacious buildings where people voting could be lined up inside while they await their turn to vote,” he suggested.
Douglas also directed criticisms at the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) for its delayed release of election results, noting that handling the count in a timely manner is crucial to maintain confidence in the democratic process.
“The democratic process is threatened by this delay. The law states that the swearing in of councillors who are declared winners at the polls should be sworn in three days after such declaration, and this delay we are seeing will affect this process, ”Douglas charged.
He urged the EOJ to streamline the identification card distribution process by mailing them to registered voters’ addresses, citing the convenience of the verification process during voter registration.
“The EOJ will not put a person on the voters’ list unless they verified the address of that person, I can’t see no reason why the voter-identification card cannot be mailed to them to minimise the inconvenience of the person physically picking up the ID at the electoral office and reduce the amount they currently have stocked up in the office waiting to be picked up.”
In a bid to enhance efficiency, Douglas suggested engaging sixthform student volunteers to assist at polling stations.