Frontline workers from the northernmost constituencies of Gros Islet, Babonneau, and Castries North turned out early Friday morning to cast their ballots at the Gros Islet Fire Station ahead of the December 1 general elections. Polls opened at 6:30 a.m., with a steady stream of voters throughout the morning.
Among those participating were members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Saint Lucia Fire Service and the island’s correctional officers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Elvis Thomas, who served as the presiding officer for the northern division electoral district, said to St Lucia Times that preparations were in place to ensure a smooth and orderly voting process.
He noted that officers from the three constituencies were already lining up from early morning, and that agents representing the various candidates had been sworn in.
Thomas explained that an election observer from the Organisation of American States (OAS) was present to monitor the process.
Emphasising the importance of protecting the integrity of the poll, he said his role was to ensure the exercise unfolded “smoothly, freely, without any interruption”. He added that voters should “exercise your rights, but do so in a manner that you do not violate any other person’s rights.”
According to Thomas, 477 essential workers were registered to vote at the northern division’s advance poll, noting that while turnout was modest early in the day, more were expected as the morning progressed.
Police officer Leon Epiphane, who is attached to the Rodney Bay Police Station and currently on vacation, also shared his experience after casting his ballot.
He described the process as smooth overall, though “a bit slow in terms of the timing of the agents”. Despite the delay, he said, “In the end, it worked out well, and I cast my ballot.”
Epiphane, who has been in the police service for nearly a decade, added that he hoped the period from polling day through to Monday would proceed without incident.
