PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley slams the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for its proposal to request returning officers to disclose their political allegiance as a prerequisite for their roles in future elections.
The controversy arose following statements made by EBC chairman Mark Ramkerrysingh during a training session on general election coverage for reporters. Ramkerrysingh’s remarks on the requirement for returning officers to declare their “party allegiance and membership before working in polling stations” sparked criticism from various political leaders, including Rowley and heads of opposition parties.
Reacting to the news on a Facebook post on Wednesday, Dr Rowley condemned the EBC’s directive, labeling it as “unnecessary and possibly illegal.”
He said there was importance in maintaining the secrecy of the vote and voiced opposition to any attempts to compel public employees to disclose their voting preferences.
In response to the backlash, the EBC issued a statement on Wednesday clarifying Ramkerrysingh’s comments and defending the decision to seek declarations of political party membership from returning officer applicants. The Commission underscored its commitment to impartiality and transparency in the electoral process, citing the need to address concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest and uphold public confidence in the integrity of elections.
Mark Ramkerrysingh chairman of the EBC should say which party he voted forðŸ˜