Chief Elections Officer Herman St. Helen says advance voting for essential services is progressing smoothly across the island, with reports of long lines and steady turnout as Saint Lucia prepares for Monday’s general election.
Today’s advance poll allows members of the police and fire services, correctional officers, election day workers, the Electoral Commission, and eligible residents of care homes and hospitals to cast their ballots ahead of the national vote.
St. Helen, who has been visiting polling locations throughout the morning, confirmed a brisk start in several areas. “From the reports that I have gotten, in some areas the vote is brisk,” he said. “I was made aware the police lines were long. In Castries it has been fairly steady, in Gros Islet as well.”
The Chief Elections Officer said his visit to the Police Training School revealed particularly strong early turnout. “From my initial view, the lines are long,” he noted. “It just means that people are interested in exercising their franchise.”
He also assured the public that election officers are well prepared for both today’s advance voting and Monday’s general election. “They received full training and they are very aware of what is required,” he explained.
“In addition to the training, they were given a guide which walks them through before poll, opening of poll, during poll, and closing of poll. We gave them checklists to ensure they have everything in order.”
He added that additional updates will be shared with media teams regarding how the results reporting system will operate on election night.
With advance voting underway and preparations in their final stages, St. Helen says the Commission is confident ahead of Monday’s national poll. “We are well prepared, the Commission is well prepared for Monday,” he affirmed.
General voting takes place on December 1st, when the rest of the electorate will cast their ballots.
