Heavy voting reported in Antigua-Barbuda elections

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: Persistent showers and overcast skies did not stop the people of Antigua and Barbuda from going to the polls in general elections Tuesday, where some 43,000 registered voters are seeking to elect a new government.

Public Relations Officer for the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (A&BEC), Mr. Peter Gordon said that his department is reasonably comfortable with the operations of the day, not withstanding the uphill task they faced in preparing the new voters list, which required re-registration as well as the introduction of voter identification cards. 

He said the A&BEC came in for high praise from Mr. Donville Walker, head of the Jamaica Electoral Commission, whose team has been assisting the A&BEC in preparing for today's poll.

According to Gordon, apart from several hiccups, such as the report of one polling station being without ink for a short period and long delays in the voting process, he felt the Commission had done well and all eligible voters will be allowed to exercise their franchise. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lester Bird, speaking to members of the media after casting his ballot Tuesday morning, said he had spoken with the A&BEC suggesting that they may have to look at the law to see if they may have to extend the time, taking into consideration the large amount of people who have turned out to vote and the slowness with which it is being done. Mr. Bird said that if the trend continues there may be a problem completing the process by 6:00 P.M.

Mr. Bird is also of the view that his Antigua Labour Party will be returned to office. 

"We recognize that this will be a tight election. I don't want anybody to feel that I think this is a walk over by any shot."

Mr. Bird also noted that, several seats will be very close while others are marginal but he is confident that his party will win.

However, Baldwin Spencer, leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP) expressed confidence that his party will be victorious.

"Based on the information I have at my disposal, coming from the other constituencies, we are looking pretty good. The tracking suggest that the UPP should be able to take it on Election Day the 23rd of March, 2004," Spencer said.

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