Party for Progress Member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs sent an urgent letter
to the Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and the Minister of Justice,
Mr. Lyndon Lewis, urging them to consider enforcing stricter guidelines for Election Day on 19
August 2024.
Gumbs specifically asks that the Ministers consider restricting the presence of party supporters
at the polling stations, forbidding the presence and use of sound systems or sound amplifiers at
the polling stations and increasing the presence of justice personnel at each station as well.
These requests stem from concerns that Gumbs herself highlighted in the sessions held by the
Central Voting Bureau after the January 2024 election. Other party representatives expressed
similar concerns in those sessions.
“During the January 2024 election day process, we had an unfortunate violent incident at the
Belvedere Community Center polling stations,” Gumbs stated, “involving political candidates
and other persons. Having been visiting each polling station throughout the day, it was
surprising to not see greater police or even VKS presence immediately outside the stations. Of
course, there were personnel inside, to control the line and the voting process. But that leaves
too much up in the air for what could happen outside.”
Gumbs also mentioned the use of sound equipment at several polling stations in January that
created an atmosphere of almost ‘psychological torture.’ She publicly stated in a Voting Bureau
session following the election that voters stepped out of lines and walked away from polling
stations as a result of hearing repetitive music played at high volumes.
“This is actually classified as a method used to disorient and psychologically distress terrorism
detainees,” Gumbs continued. “Just because it isn’t happening in an enclosed space doesn’t
mean it is any less stressful and it was consistent, repetitive and went on all day. This was one
of the main complaints I received from voters, following the January election day.
MP Gumbs Requests PM, Minister of Justice to Enforce Stricter Election Day Guidelines
