Election Act Rules Changed to Protects Secrecy of Vote

14 April 2021, 05:53 AM

Elections

At the request of the Supervisor of Elections, Cabinet (Tuesday 13 April 2021) changed the Elections Rules surrounding General Elections. The amendment will allow postal and mobile station ballots to be mixed with ballots in Election Day boxes prior to the start of any count.

The Supervisor of Elections put forward the change to protect the secrecy of the vote. A very small number of postal and mobile votes in some constituencies this year meant an individual count of that box might allow persons to infer the identity of voters and how they cast their ballots.

Supervisor of Elections Wes Howell noted that the recommendation had been previously put forward by international observers.

“Secrecy of the vote is the cornerstone of any democracy and it is essential that we be vigilant in its protection whatever circumstances may arise. Given the low number of mobile and postal ballots cast in some electoral districts in this election, we realised there would be an issue and took prompt steps to address it,” Mr Howell remarked.