PARAMARIBO – The colurier who had unlawfully handed over 41 voter registration cards at an address in the Kraboedoistraat has reportedly been fired.
“The two witnesses who were with the courier were also fired,” Mohamad Nasier Eskak, director at the Ministry of Home Affairs (BIZA), told Times of Suriname. Meanwhile all 41 voter registration cards have been recovered. Several days ago irregularities in the distribution of voter registration cards were reported. The courier reportedly handed the voter registration cards over to a person who did not have any ID card that could be used for identification and confirmation of identity. Eskak explained that each and every courier is obligated to demand valid identification. “If a person can't identify himself or herself, the courier is not allowed to hand the voter registration cards,” said Director Eskak who added that a big family lives at the apartments located in the Kraboedoistraat. “The courier just wanted to help but the way things was done was not in accordance with the rules. Some type of identification is required in order to receive the voter registration cards. The person who had received the cards fled to the hinterland or French Guiana out of fear. Fortunately all 41 voter registration cards have been recovered,” said Director Eskak who added that the period where couriers went door to door has been concluded. As of May 22nd voters who did not receive their voter registration card can pick it up at one of the main polling stations. The voter registration cards that aren't picked up will be sent to the designated polling station on Election Day, May 25th, so that the voters can get them in order to cast their vote.
“This means that voters who haven't received their voter registration card can still vote on Election Day,” said Eskak who added that the voter will still be required to identify himself or herself in order to get his or her voter registration card at the polling station. If the voter registration card is not at the designated polling station,a duplicate will be written by hand.