Heads of Departments in the Saint Lucia public service have been advised to facilitate the participation of all staff in the voting process for the July 26 general elections.
“It is imperative that time off be granted,” a memorandum on Tuesday to all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments from the Permanent Secretary in the Department of the Public Service, Peggy-Ann Soudatt, stated.
“By virtue of section 73 of the Elections Act Chapter 1.02 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia “the Elections Act”, every elector is to be granted a reasonable period, not being less than two (2) hours or such other period as may be prescribed to allow for voting,” the document stated.
“Further, no deduction should be made from pay or remuneration of any elector or any punitive measures imposed for his or her absence during the said voting period. Any employer who refuses to grant such time off for voting, whether by intimidation, undue influence or in any other way, is liable to a fine of $500.00 or to imprisonment for six (6) months,” it noted.
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