Dear Editor,
I couldn’t avoid overhearing an interesting conversation by some vocal folks, on the importance of our national identification cards, particularly on election day. It struck me thereafter that an unfortunate scenario could develop if Gecom does not adequately promote the message to the public in a timely fashion regarding the use of the correct identification card on polling day. The fact that most of the eligible voters will be in possession of two ID cards – one from the last elections and another for the upcoming elections – will test the prospective voter’s awareness as against habitual convenience in the daily use of ID cards. My own experience, and I suppose this is the same with many other persons, is that I continue to use my old ID card for almost every transaction, with the aim of preserving the new one. There is no objection and the two have some similar features. The point is that by using the old ID card it might easily remain in the wallet or purse of persons voting on polling day and will be rejected to the frustration of the voter, since it is the new ID number that will correspond to the voters’ list. What might be worse is that the prospective voter may never return to vote, considering the long queues that they may have to endure and other challenges that may arise on the day. Every vote will be important and so will be Gecom’s expected dissemination of timely and continuing information to the nation.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
