Ballot papers and cards await collection

| 14/05/2013

ballot box45_0.jpg(CNS): Despite the complaints and concerns being raised about missing postal ballots, the Elections Office said Tuesday that there are still 92 postal ballot envelopes still to be collected from the registered mail counters at every post office in Grand Cayman except for North Side. Election officials are urging voters to collect them cast their vote and deliver the sealed envelopes to their local returning officers as soon as possible as it is now too late to try and post ballots in time for polling day next Wednesday. Along with the ballots sitting in post offices, the deputy supervisor of elections said that 2,500 voter ID cards also need to be collected from the Elections Office.

Although the deadline has passed for voters to request cards, existing card holders can collect their updated versions as well as those who already registered for a voter card. However, no one will be disenfranchised without the voter cards. A passport or driver’s licence is sufficient for anyone to vote, and if it is combined with the registered electors number, which can be checked on line, officials said that would help to expedite the voting process.

The Supervisor of Elections said the postal service has told his office that there are 92 postal ballot envelopes still to be collected. At the General Post Office in George Town there are 48 envelops, at the Airport Post Office there are 16, and 12 waiting at the Seven Mile Beach Post Office. Meanwhile, 8 envelopes are awaiting collection at the West Bay Post Office and 2 at the Hell Post Office, with 3 waiting in both Bodden Town and East End.   

“Postal voters who have not collected their postal ballot envelopes from the above post offices are urges to do so immediately, complete the voting process and Endeavour to hand deliver the covering envelope to the Returning Officer for their district.  They should not attempt to mail their ballot at this stage due to the limited time remaining before Election Day,” the Elections Office said.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    This is what happens when the candidates are prevented from collecting postal ballots!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Although the Elections Office seems to be running pretty smoothly and efficiently, I think that they could have been more clear and concise on the Postal Ballot process. There still some people that are confused on what to do and I think its kind of late for confusion.

    Not trying to bash the anyone, just a suggestion for next time around.

    • Anonymous says:

      agreed…I merely dropped my ballot in the po box…had no idea about the r"eturning officer"

  3. Anonymous says:

    I have posted my ballot from the UK, but I am concerned that it won’t count because both Monday AND Wednesday are public holidays. I assume the postal workers will collect their pay but not actually work, so even though the deadline is Wednesday night, it still remains that the Postal service will be shut down for 4 out of the 5 days leading up to Election Day, including Election Day itself.

    Now I have even less hope of my vote being counted since even the local postal service can’t guarantee delivery from Cayman to Cayman before the deadline!

    What a stupid situation this is.

    BB

    • Anonymous says:

      I would just like to clarify something in regards to the Postal Service.  Right up until and including election day there are designated postal officers at all of the post offices to ensure the postal ballots are collected by the returning officers.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Today is Tuesday – surely if you post a letter today or tomorrow it will reach the Elections Office before next Wednesday (I know that Monday is a holiday).  Letters to England take less than a week!