Comments on: Choosing your right candidate with a X

By: Bernardo

Bernardo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:16:23 +0000

Very interesting…..

By: simplecotton68

simplecotton68 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:42:34 +0000

sorry for the typos

By: simplecotton68

simplecotton68 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:39:43 +0000

About the cross ‘X’ confusion: i have personally served as party agent in the 2005 election in constituency No2 of Port-Louis. On the day of vote-counting, i was present in one of the several classes in the college where votes were being counted (each political party is allowed 2 representatives per class – one to verify the voting sheet and the other to count the number of votes obtained). When the counting is being carried out by the electoral commission officers, all sheets that thought to be ‘controversial’ are cast aside either by the officer himself or any party agent present who wants to challenge the vote. These votes are then personally verified by the Returning Officer along with candidates who make regular rounds in the different classes of the college to keep track of the smooth running the counting process.
Hence, those sheets that are blank, ticked, or where any other form of identification are scribled upon are carefully examined by the Returnin Officer and i remember correctly that he duly stated that ‘the intention of the voter should be clear’. So it doesn’t matter whether the voter ticks, crosses or does anything else as long he clearly indicates who he wishes to vote for.
I have personally witnessed many old tantines, kalas and dadis being told to cross directly on the symbol of the party (not on the blank square next to it) as they do not know how to read and write. And coincidentally, i have seen some sheet where people have crossed directly on the symbol during the counting session!

To Yashvin: I’m sure the Electoral Office recommends only the marking of an ‘X’ as the correct way to cast a vote; it avoids creating havoc and confusion among the electorate. However, in practice, only the intention of the voter should be clear.

By: Bhooks

Bhooks — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:29:38 +0000

For all those who are maintaining the cross and others who are calling the Electoral Commissioner’s Office. Show me in the Constitution where has it been written that one need to appose his vote with an “X”.

By: Yashvin

Yashvin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:04:50 +0000

@All : Yesterday, my colleague (Bernard) called the Electoral Office to get this confirmed.

Only X (Cross) is accepted, no tick or shading…
This is official.

By: joyshan

joyshan — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 06:50:39 +0000

its really cool..a cross can change a country. the real question is for the best or for the worst?

By: Nayar

Nayar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:16:26 +0000

I will get my 18 next year.
I don’t plan to vote in neither local nor national elections

By: yusha

yusha — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:21:38 +0000

@ Yashvin

“As announced a few days back, there will be elections” ..

it is a by election not an election.

A by election is done when a seat in parliament is vacant.

“The fact that you choose the candidate with a X mark has always been amazing!”

This can be traced back to the 18th century , at a certain point of history the Mauritian population was allowed to votes . The condition to vote was that all you should be able to pass a simple literacy test in one of the following languages : English , french , or any oriental language.

To put the mark X association with a the key of a party was the most simple way for candidates to ensure that voters are voting correctly.

By: Yashvin

Yashvin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:16:28 +0000

@Bhooks: I asked my mum (li ti habitier work pu elections).

Nothing except a X is accepted in elections.
Even if u put 3 ticks, it will not be a valid sheet, thats how they did in the last elections.

@Carrot : ya, u are right

By: Bhooks

Bhooks — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:18:44 +0000

They do. I saw that in the last elections when the results were being computed. I got to vote 3. Instead of 3 X I write 3 ticks. I’ve clearly showed whom I am voting. Period.