Turnout appeared slow across the nation on Tuesday as members of the protective services and election staff cast their ballots in the special poll, likely foreshadowing voter enthusiasm for next Wednesday’s snap general election.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. at 30 polling stations, but when Barbados TODAY visited several locations, presiding officers reported light voter traffic.
Returning officer for Christ Church East Central, Michael Fields, said 90 special voters were registered to cast their ballots at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.
He said: “We have seen a slight trickle so far. Twelve persons have come in to vote. This election is mainly for election workers. Currently, we have 96 persons listed to vote today.”
Fields acknowledged minor issues with access to the polling station but said these would be rectified before the general election.
“Currently, our direction signage is not in place yet,” he said. “That will go up by the general polling day next Wednesday.”
Once voters found the correct location, the process was swift, he added.
“Once everything is clear, two minutes max,” Fields said.
Not all police officers were required to vote in the special poll; only those rostered for duty on election day on Wednesday.
Reports of similarly low turnout came from other constituencies. Presiding officer for St Michael South, Egerton Thompson, at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church, and presiding officer for Christ Church West, Michael Sealey, at the St Matthias Church Hall, both described voting activity as light.
Election official Chad Larrier said he was pleased to exercise his right to vote.
“For me, it’s about having someone to represent you. Even if I don’t know a lot about politics, at least you can see someone is making the effort,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to have a voice and place your vote instead of staying silent and letting whatever happen. Even if it’s one vote out of 100 000 or 200 000, you still have a chance to contribute in some way.”
But Larrier pointed to signage as a difficulty when locating the polling station.
“It’s just the signage — figuring out where to go,” he said. “That would be the only hiccup I had.”
On arrival, he was unsure which side of the building to enter.
“I didn’t know it was this side, so I was looking around the other side of the building. There was no one to guide us, and the building was closed. Once I entered, there was no signage telling me left or right — just that it was in this location. But once you’re inside, everyone directs you where to go, and it was a pretty quick process.”
Postal worker Dwayne Moore also said he was pleased with the process.
“It was the same as usual. Everything ran smooth and seamless. I was in and out in a matter of minutes,” said Moore. “I’ve been voting since I was 18. I’ve never missed an election. I am 44.”
He underscored the importance of participation.
“Everybody has to let their vote count,” he said. “At least then you have a say in what’s going on in the country and who runs the country, so everybody should vote.”
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