United Progressive Party (UPP) Leader Joshua Francis has written to Chief Elections Officer Anthea Joseph, raising concerns about what he describes as growing misinformation surrounding the secrecy of the ballot and calling on the Electoral Office to launch a public education campaign ahead of the upcoming Roseau North by-election and future general elections.
In the letter, Francis alleged that false claims suggesting votes are not secret are creating fear among electors and could discourage participation in the democratic process. He urged the Electoral Office to publish information and bulletins explaining voters’ rights and reinforcing the confidentiality of the voting process.
“I submit this letter in quest of soliciting your good office to drive public awareness on the ‘secrecy of the ballot’ and ‘choice of voting’, and to deflate, if not eliminate the calculated misinformation that there isn’t secrecy in voting,” Francis wrote.
He also called on the Chief Elections Officer to publicly condemn what he described as voter suppression, intimidation and coercion.
According to Francis, statements made during previous elections, including claims such as, “we will know who you vote for” and “we have spies,” have been used to intimidate voters. He argued that such behaviour should be denounced and reminded election officials and other stakeholders that they have a legal responsibility to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
Francis noted that any breach of that obligation should be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted under the House of Assembly Act 2025.
He stressed that the right to cast a secret ballot is a fundamental principle of democracy and plays a critical role in protecting voters from coercion while maintaining confidence in the electoral system.
“The right to cast a secret ballot in a public election is a core value in our democracy and system of self-governance,” Francis stated. “And secrecy and privacy in elections guard against coercion and are supposed to protect the integrity in the electoral process.”
He concluded by expressing hope that the Electoral Office would respond positively to his request, saying greater public education on voting procedures would help reduce misunderstandings and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
Read the full Letter to Electoral Office
