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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Electronic Tabulator that was dispatched today, February 21, to be used for Advance Polling in Sea Cow’s Bay (SCB), District 3, experienced some sort of malfunction which resulted in a delay of over an hour.
BVI Platinum News was reliably informed that the machine failed to function, resulting in a delay in the commencement of voting at the Third District polling station. The machine eventually had to be replaced.
“They couldn’t start voting until after 10:00 a.m,” a concerned voter in the line commented.
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate in that district, Mrs. Arlene Smith-Thompson, who was on scene explained, “There was a problem with how the paper was being fed. It was resolved. It took an hour and a half. We had a technician come and the machine was actually changed out.”
Asked whether such malfunction caused her concern, she said, “No it doesn’t. We were present. They explained everything to us about the glitch that occurred with the machine. We were present to ensure that it was working to our satisfaction. We’re okay with that.”
Posed with the same question, her opponent on the National Democratic Party (NDP) side, Mr. Aaron Parillon said, “Nah, nah…it’s just things that happen when you're dealing with machines. They had another one on site so all good to go. The day is going great.”
Meanwhile, a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) executive shared that when some voters turned up to vote in District One, their names were not in the poll book for that district, but their names showed up on the District Two list. They were told to return on Monday to vote.
Attempts to get a comment on the issues from Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Juliette Penn were futile.
Meanwhile, over in Road Town at the House of Assembly (HoA) where Fourth District constituents cast their votes, the process began swiftly on time at 9:00 a.m, with some voters turning up an hour in advance.
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate, Luce Hodge-Smith; the incumbent representative who is contesting with the National Democratic Party (NDP), Mark Vanterpool; and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) candidate, Karl Scatliffe, were on scene to observe the process.
Asked about the voting process and whether there were any difficulties, an elderly woman commented, “Easy in, easy out…no problem.”
In District Five, there was the same calm atmosphere as voting moved smoothly along.
