Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph has urged the public to rely on official information from the Electoral Office, warning that misinformation surrounding the voter confirmation process is circulating as Dominica prepares for the upcoming by-election.
Her comments come after the Electoral Office recently issued a statement explaining the voter confirmation process in response to concerns raised publicly.
In the statement, the Office clarified that no voter can be confirmed by simply submitting documents, emphasizing that every voter must appear in person at a confirmation centre with a witness. It also noted that the process requires identity verification, document checks, a photograph and an electronic signature before any information can be entered into the central database.
Addressing the issue, the Chief Elections Officer said in a separate statement this afternoon that the public should be cautious about unverified claims.
“We are aware as we roll into the by-election that we are going to have a number of fake news out, and that is why we have a website at the electoral office that we put out information for the public, and we are open. Any question that is asked we try to answer the question to the best of our ability and to give the information. We are open and balanced and fair and we are ready to answer questions to the public or to meet the or to answer the queries that the public may have.”
She encouraged people to use the Electoral Office as their primary source of information rather than relying on social media or unverified reports.
“Right, so we want persons to look for the information that is put out by the Electoral Office. The authentic information and not fake news to be guided. These things are they come out to cause people to have doubts and to dissuade persons from going into the centres to actually participate in their electoral rights.”
The Chief Elections Officer also appealed to anyone with questions or concerns to contact the Electoral Office directly.
“So please, we are asking persons to contact the office in the event you have a query, or you have a question.”
The Electoral Office has maintained that it remains committed to providing accurate information and ensuring that the voter confirmation process is conducted in a secure, transparent and accountable manner.
Full statement below:
