National Elections October 22-24, 2020 - update 8.03pm |24 October 2020

Voting halted as Anse Etoile station runs out of ballot papers

Voting in the biggest constituency, precisely Anse Etoile was stopped for more than 30 minutes after the polling station ran out ballot papers which was well below the district’s number of registered voters.

Only 3,030 ballot papers were recorded during the morning count, a sum which was less than the district’s tally of registered qualified voters which is 4,064.

At exactly 4.35pm, the station which was operating via four lines in three rooms, was temporarily paralysed, while voters were kept stranded in queues.

Commenting on the issue, deputy electoral officer Garry Nourrice said the district was provided with a certain number of ballot papers based on the assumption that not all voters would turn up to cast their votes.

It is to note that 212 voters from the Anse Etoile constituency voted on Thursday at the various special polling stations that were set up.

Mr Nourrice also added that voting at the Anse Etoile station was done in an orderly manner, with everyone respecting and abiding to the guidelines, including proper identification documents and the wearing of masks.

He added that there were no major incidents and that he was satisfied with the voting process.

Among those who visited the station were presidential and vice-presidential candidates for Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) Wavel Ramkalawan and Ahmed Afif.

Three candidates are facing off in the parliamentary election for Anse Etoile.

They are George Romain (LDS), Terrence Créa (United Seychelles) and Ralph Ernesta (One Seychelles).

According to reports, several other stations like La Digue, Anse Boileau, Port Glaud, Grand Anse Mahe and Pointe Larue also ran out of ballot papers late in the afternoon

Voters who were already in the queues at the different stations expressed their frustration while the electoral officers were worried as this would mean delays all around.

On La Digue, a helicopter had to be used to bring more ballot paper to the island.