Frans questions role of Post Office in voting cards distribution

Philipsburg — Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson on Monday questioned what the role of the Post Office will be in distributing voting cards for the February 26 Parliamentary election.

Richardson was reaction to information from the Prime Minister and Civil Registry that voting cards would be distributed via the community centers in the various districts, with several voting districts grouped together. Persons would then physically have to go to their designated stations to collect their voting cards.

“I find it hard to believe that this will be the only way people will be able to get their voting cards, especially considering the working hours of our people,” Richardson said. “This in fact reeks of voter suppression, knowing full well that it would be extremely difficult for the vast majority of people to get time off to stand in a line and collect a voting card,” Richardson said.

As such, he continued, the Post Office should in some way, shape or form, play a role in the distribution of the cards considering their knowledge of addresses and areas. “But there has been no information regarding the role of the Post Office, if any. I’m calling on government to clarify this process and be transparent with how people can obtain their cards,” Richardson said.

“We have seen numerous attempts to postpone this election or affect the organization of said election. We acknowledge that the Post Office like many places suffered damage, but they are open and operational. There are also many people back in their homes or still in their homes, never left. So not using the Post Office system should not be an option and we hope this is not so. Clarity is needed immediately,” Richardson said.