Strengthening Integrity in Election Process Part 2 - Integrity Group Barbados

Strengthening Integrity in Election Process Part 2

In our previously published article, reference was made to Integrity Group Barbados’ intent to engage the public on matters of electoral integrity. We believe it is necessary to share more information about the election process with the public with the hope that there is a greater understanding of the rights of the voters and the existing rules associated with campaigning and voting. With this greater understanding by the public it is expected that there will be further calls for the process to be strengthened to provide more transparency and accountability from all persons involved.

Much will be at stake in the upcoming elections.  The absence of sufficient voter knowledge about election integrity and their own rights, is therefore a concern. Due to this insufficiency, actions that can undermine fairness in the electoral process can flourish. With voters’ unfamiliarity with their rights and the security measures that protect the integrity of their voting, vote-buying can be a reality.

In Barbados, it has been said that influencing a voter’s decision at the ballot station is often done through political promises or even threats of victimization. It is important, therefore, for all voters to know that there is no way for any person whether they are a political candidate, agent, official in the electoral process or any other person, to know how a voter has actually voted.

Politicians cannot find out who you voted for

First and foremost, every elector’s vote is protected by a secret ballot. This secrecy is important as each elector must be free to vote according to his conscience without fear or coercion from anyone. This secrecy guarantees that political candidates, agents, officials in the electoral process or any other person, are unable to know for whom an elector has voted. A political candidate or his/her agent only has access to an electoral list. This list merely allows them to know after the fact, that an elector in the constituency has indeed voted since the polling clerk verbally calls outs and ticks the names of the voter and their place of residence at the time of voting.

Unfortunately, some persons can mischievously create the impression that by having access to the electoral list, they also know how the individual voted. This is not the case – there are no markings on a voting slip that can identify the person who voted. The myth that any person, (other than the voter himself) knows how a voter voted must be dispelled.

Identification numbers are not recorded on the ballot

Another action that has created uncertainty over voting security is the recording of national identification numbers when the voter arrives at the polling station. In the interest of clarity, a voter’s  ID number is not written or recorded in any way on the ballot slip. An elector’s ID card is used for the purpose of identification to permit the person who presents the ID card to be allowed to vote in the polling station where that individual has been officially registered to vote.

The numbers on identification cards are therefore used for the purpose of cross referencing to match the names and addresses of voters for the constituency in question. This ensures that electors vote at the correct polling station. Therefore, the practice of recording of ID numbers is not for tracing for whom an elector has voted.

Voting booth

Voters have also raised concerns over the voting booths at the polling stations. The voting booth has a screen to provide privacy and the action by an elector to place an “X” on a ballot paper opposite the name of a specific candidate of his choice is not seen by anyone else, except in the case of physically disabled electors for whom statutory provision is made for assistance in that respect.

A court order is needed to access voter’s ballots

The storage of ballots is an additional matter that has been raised. Immediately after an election, all ballot boxes are sealed and transferred to the Registry to be properly and safely stored. Access to these ballots are strictly regulated, and a court order is required. Therefore, voters can rest assured that no person can undermine the security procedures that protects their secret ballot.

In closing

Given voter education is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy, all voters should be made well aware of and understand the voting process. Although concerns have been voiced over aspects of this process, voters should feel confident that secrecy and security of their ballot is not compromised. Integrity Group Barbados therefore urges all electors to familiarise themselves with the information that will be made public by the Electoral Boundaries Commission in respect of the next General Election.

Main Points to Note