St. George Grenada – 21st September, 2012: Leader of Her Majesty Opposition Dr. The Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell is again drawing the attention of the relevant authorities as well as the general population to shortcomings in the voters’ registration process, which needs to be urgently addressed.
Specifically, he is drawing attention to the fact that the process has been flawed and that because of these flaws, there is still a large number of people throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique who have not been able to complete the registration process.
Dr. Mitchell has heaped praises on the workers at the constituency registration offices, saying that these workers are making a valiant effort, even with scarce resources and other problems such as persistent late payment of salaries, to ensure that the registration process continues and that all interested persons within their respective constituencies get the chance to register.
The MP for St. George North West says these workers must be commended for what was a show of patriotism when some stayed on the job as late as 1:00 am last week Wednesday when the office hours were extended from 5:00pm to 7:00pm that day to facilitate persons who are unable to go to register during the normal opening hours. However, Dr. Mitchell is disappointed that the Government will not provide these workers with the overtime payment which he says they well deserve and will be a great incentive. He also will like the Government to extend the hours weekly since many persons are unable to get to the offices before 5:00pm on any given day.
He added that these workers need to be given all the necessary support including additional staffing in each office which is needed especially at this time. The present arrangement of one person in each office is totally inadequate and ridiculous.
Dr. Mitchell is also drawing urgent attention to the fact that a preliminary voters list has not yet been issued in spite of calls by the Official Opposition, other interest groups and individuals. He said “In the face of the two registration machines that are missing and in the midst of fear that the missing machines can be used to undermine the democratic process; and despite unanswered calls from the Opposition and other concerned citizens for action we cannot trust the system. The only way right now to verify that these machines are not being used is to publish a copy of the new voters list.”
The Opposition wants all measures to be taken to guarantee the integrity of the voter registration process and the preparation of a final voters list in which the voting population, the population at large as well as the international community will have confidence.
