No glitches in Districts 1 to 4 | Voters happy with tabulating machines

The voting process has been running smoothly in the First, Second, Third and Fourth electoral districts, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor’s Office Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe has said.

The office is tasked to provide oversight over the process to ensure a clean and fair election in the British Virgin Islands.

“From what I have seen, things are going pretty good,” Stoutt-Igwe told BVI News at the Carrot Bay polling station in the First District.

As at 11 am on Election Day, 160 constituents had already cast their votes at that polling station, Stoutt-Igwe said.

At another polling station in the First District — Leonora Delville Primary School in Capoons Bay — Elections Officer Stephanie Benn said 292 votes were already cast as at 10:30 am.

“We have two stations and two presiding officers, and we haven’t had that [glitches in the tabulating machines] yet, and we are hoping that it doesn’t happen.”

“It’s flowing very nicely,” she said, adding that persons took no longer than 30 minutes in line.

Voters in the district expressed similar statements to BVI News. “The tabulating system was quite easy,” said a senior citizen after casting her ballot.

“It’s going nice, everything running smooth and I like that. It’s much better, and it took us under five minutes,” a middle-aged male voter from Carrot Bay noted.

Smooth sailing in D2, D3

Meanwhile, in the Second Electoral District, Returning Officer stationed at the at the Ivan Dawson Primary School polling station, Clayton O’Neal, said at minutes after 10 am, 263 persons had voted. This figure included those who voted last Thursday for advance polling.

As for the Second District island of Jost Van Dyke, 42 persons had already voted as at 10:15 in the morning.

“For District 2, it has been smooth. Persons come with their voter’s identification card or their driver’s license and are assisted by the clerks,” O’Neal said.

Two other voters also echoed his sentiments. “It was straightforward, simple,” one said. “To me, it went good. It was faster and better.”

Speed of voting an improvement — Fraser

Over at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School in the Third District, Progressives United leader Julian Fraser also said he was impressed by the speed at which persons were able to vote.

“It’s an improvement,” he remarked.

The number of persons who voted in that district so far is not immediately known. However, from all accounts, the day has gone on without any challenges.

Polling stations opened at 6 am and will close at 6 pm except for Anegada which will close at 5 pm.