With the General Election in Anguillla set for Monday, February 15, Police Commissioner, Keithly Benjamin, has delivered a radio address pointing out some important rules which the electorate and candidates are required to observe by law.

Police Commissioner Keithly Benjamin

To start with, he has advised that all public meetings for campaigning must stop by midnight, February 14. At midnight also, motorists should have removed all bumper stickers, posters, banners, ribbons and all other political paraphernalia from their vehicles to avoid prosecution. No T-shirts with party or candidate symbols are permitted to be worn on polling day. Similarly, the Commissioner has urged candidates to ensure that the billboards with their photographs should be removed by midnight or at least before polls open at 6 a.m. on February 15 to avoid exposure to prosecution.

“I hasten to point out that the only thing that is permitted on polling day is a banner bearing only the name of a candidate or only his name preceded by the words “vote for” and can also be used on a vehicle,” Mr. Benjamin pointed out. “Rosettes bearing the candidates’ name are also permitted. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing with the photograph or symbol of the candidates i.e. no Key, Beacon, Tree, Heart or Dove are permitted.”

The Police Commissioner explained how the voting process between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. will be policed. “During this period, it is expected that all eligible voters will form a queue outside their respective polling station and remain in the queue until you enter, single file, to case your vote,” he stated. “After having voted, you will exit the polling station and proceed directly outside the 100 yards demarcation line. No one will be allowed to congregate within the restricted area.”

Mr. Benjamin reminded all candidates and their agents that the Police would strictly enforce the law prohibiting both persons from being within the polling station for no more than five consecutive minutes. He also warned that candidates should not greet persons in the queue or patrol the restricted area.

He stressed that the Elections Act prohibited the sale or giving away of intoxicating liquor during the opening and closing of the polls. Persons found guilty are liable to a fine of $4,000 or 6 months’ imprisonment.

“It is important that I also emphasise that allegations of bribery will be investigated,” he went on. “The alleged practice of paying for or providing any other valuable consideration to a voter to secure his vote is unlawful and is punishable under the law. There is no certainty that an individual who takes your money will vote for you so it is quite easy to resist the temptation, to give out money or valuable consideration and avoid the risk of prosecution. The same consideration applies to treating someone to vote for you or for a particular candidate, or to refrain from voting.

“In respect of the closure of the polling stations, no one, other than the candidate, will be permitted inside the polling station during the sealing of the ballot boxes. The ballot boxes will then be taken to the counting house escorted by members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. The premises of the counting house will be closed to vehicular traffic and anyone entering will be screened at the access points. Every effort will be made to prevent persons from entering with any unlawful weapons and to minimize injury to all desirous of viewing the counting of the ballots.”

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