The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has addressed the concerns regarding the appointment of returning officers.
This after the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took issue with what he said was the EBC’s position to question its staff about their vote, calling this “absolutely unacceptable” and “possibly illegal”.
During an Elections Coverage workshop on Monday, EBC Chairman Mark Ramkerrysingh addressed a question about potential political affiliations of Returning Officers.
However, the EBC said it has received allegations from various political parties about Returning Officers being members of political parties.
In order to address these concerns, it sought legal advice on requiring applicants for the position of Returning Officer to declare whether they are a member of a political party.
According to the EBC, the legal opinion confirmed that such an inquiry is both advisable and lawful.
It also distinguishes between declaring party membership and disclosing voting preferences, saying the latter is protected by the principle of secret ballot.
The statement goes on to say, “The EBC emphasizes its commitment to impartiality and transparency in the electoral process. Requiring applicants to declare their membership is a proactive step to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in the electoral system.”