Voting in the St Michael North West constituency got off to a calm and orderly start Wednesday morning with several voters describing the process as smooth and efficient as they cast their ballots at polling stations across the area.
At the Deacons Primary School polling station, voter Gillian Marville praised how quickly she was able to complete the process, noting both accessibility and ease. She explained that voting “was very simple, very easy”, adding that the lines were short and the process was “quick”. Her motivation for participating was firmly grounded in civic responsibility.
Gillian Marville (JB)
“It is your right and your duty as a Barbadian to come out and vote. So, I did activate my duty this morning,” she said.
Similar sentiments about efficiency were shared at the St Stephens Primary School polling station, where Jason Martin emphasised the personal importance of exercising his right.
St Stephen’s Primary School polling station for St Michael North West constituency. (LE)
Jason Martin (LE)
He said: “I think I got the right to vote, and that is just my decision. We really need some change, and I just think that voting right now to get a little bit of change is what we need.”
He also described a relatively swift voting experience, highlighting the manageable crowd size and cooperative environment at the station.
When asked about waiting time, he said: “I actually let a gentleman with a wheelchair access in front of me, but it was only like five people in front of me. There were not a lot of people there.”
Looking ahead to the outcome of the election, he added: “Well, I believe it’s going to be a clean sweep again. That’s what we believe.”
At the HA4 polling station, located at the Ellerslie School, election officials also reported a steady flow of voters without major challenges. The presiding officer Elizabeth Jones confirmed operations were running smoothly, stating: “Everything has been going well.” When asked about turnout compared with previous elections, the response remained consistent, with the officer noting: “It has been flowing.” The official also addressed concerns about voter confusion regarding assigned polling stations, confirming: “No issues so far, ma’am.”
The Ellerslie School polling station for St Michael North West. (LE)
Elizabeth Jones Presiding Officer of the Ellerslie polling station in the St Michael North West constituency. (JB)
Voter Marlene Nurse, at the Ellerslie School polling station, echoed the positive experience, describing her voting process simply as “very well” and “very good”.
Marlene Nurse (JB)
She emphasised her longstanding commitment to participating in elections, explaining: “Because I always vote every voting time to get my party in.” Addressing the broader significance of electoral participation amid reports of potential voter apathy, she added firmly: “I will always vote as long as I am alive.”
Wednesday’s poll in St Michael North West is a contest between three candidates. The Barbados Labour Party’s incumbent candidate Neil Rowe is seeking to retain the constituency, while Ryan Walters represents the Democratic Labour Party and Ricardo Williams contests on behalf of the Friends of Democracy.
Eagle Hall Primary School polling station for St Michael North West. (JB)
Early observations across polling stations, including Eagle Hall Primary, St Stephens Primary, Deacons Primary and the Ellerslie School, indicated a slow start to voting, with a light atmosphere and a gradual trickle of voters arriving at intervals throughout the morning. (LE)
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