INSIDE GRENADA FRIDAY December 21,2007 From the National Democratic Congress (NDC) December 19, 2007 Ms. Nadica McIntyre Supervisor of Elections Parliamentary Elections Office Woolwich Road St. George's Dear Ms. McIntyre, Re: Concerns Regarding The Electoral List and The Continuous Registration Process In October 2007, I wrote to you expressing grave concern about the situation regarding the Voters' List and the tardy submissions of the required Quarterly Reports which are mandated by Law. We are extremely concerned that the procedures governing the publications of these Quarterly Reports are not being adhered to and may in fact, be a reflection of inefficiencies, regarding the overall Continuous Registration Process. During the tenure of Mr. Victor Ashby, a mechanism was put in place whereby there was clarity regarding the new registrants for each period. Recently this process appears to be quite muddled. From our records, we know that the List for the first quarter, when it was published showed 57,677 registrants, that was as the end of March 2007. The List for the subsequent Quarter, which closed at June 30th, recorded 60,500 registrants. Since then, the situation can be described as precarious. Bearing in mind that all the Constituency Electoral Offices are supposed to be operational, then there should be no reason for the apparent inefficiencies which currently exist. There needs to be absolute clarity and transparency with regard to the numbers of new registrants by constituency each quarter. Regarding the "computer crash" and the subsequently promised Voters' List by November 30th 2007, we would like the Supervisor of Elections to come clean and explain to the general public, what is the status of the Voter Registration Process. If the nation is to have confidence in this crucial arm of our democracy, then the Integrity of the Voters' List must be ascertained by all concerned. How can the nation feel any sense of confidence in this process when the norms are deviated from, promises are broken and no explain is being offered? Despite not meeting the promised November 30th deadline for the 3rd Quarter which should have been published since October 30th 2007, the office proceeds to publish an "Addendum" and not the complete Voters' List. This is grossly inadequate and unacceptable. Moreover, to be asking the general public to scrutinize the Addendum and the list to be published, between December 21st and January 4th 2008, in order to make objections, claims and or corrections by January 4th is incomprehensible, given the current Holiday Season. We therefore ask that you use your discretion and good office, as Supervisor of Elections, with the powers afforded you, to extend the period to allow the public sufficient time to avail themselves of this worthwhile opportunity. At this point in time, there is too much speculation and suspicion about the overall operations within the Parliamentary Election Office. We need to get some very precise and concrete answers to the numerous questions and concerns plaguing the Voters. In particular we wish to receive clarification on the following: 1. Why is an "Addendum" published when we have yet to receive the List for the 3rd quarter? 2. What is the status of the recovery of the "lost" names when the Computer crashed? 3. What is the complete number of new Registrants for the 3rd Quarter which ended October 30th 2007? 4. When will we receive a complete breakdown of the Voters' List for the 3rd Quarter for each Constituency? 5. What is the situation regarding the Carriacou and Petite Martinique office which has not been opened to the public in keeping with the revised hours of operations? 6. When will the Parliamentary Elections office commence a comprehensive Public Education Campaign to educate and sensitize the general public in keeping with the mandate of the office? We call upon you, in your capacity as Supervisor of Elections to ensure that the public is properly served and that the Continuous Registration process is afforded the diligence and attentiveness this is required by law. Further, we wish to ask that you spare no effort in ensuring that the Parliamentary Elections machinery affords to the public in general and new registrants in particular, even at this very late stage, the due respect that we rightfully deserve. We expect that you would be guided accordingly. Respectfully, ............................................. Senator George W. Prime C.c. Governor General, Sir Daniel Williams Mr. Francis McBarnette - OAS Representative - Grenada Mr. Dominic Mc Farlene - Elections Officer - Carriacou and Petite Martinique