At some Polling Stations queues of electors were formed throughout the day and the numbers of electors who turned out to vote at the seventeen Constituencies created an all time record for each Constituency and was evidence of the keen interest taken by the electorate in this election.

No irregularities were reported and the entire proceedings took place in an atmosphere of calm and quiet orderliness.

En the polling stations of the polling divisions the voting was conducted in an orderly manner and as far as can be ascertained no incident was reported to the Police.

At the John Hughs Polling Station an unfortunate accident occurred when the bottle containing the electoral ink popped its cork spilling the ink all over the shirt of the Presiding Officer and getting into his eyes and partially blinding him at the time, in consequence his duties had to be performed by the Returning Officer.

History was made when the Returning Officer for the Constituency of St. Philip (South) at the conclusion of the count declared that there was an equality of votes and consequently no candidate had been elected in the Constituency of St. Philip (South) and the Writ having been endorsed to this effect proceedings for a re-election were immediately commenced by the Supervisor of Elections in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

There was a certain amount of litigation which resulted in a decision by the Court that Reuben Harris was the duly elected candidate for the Constituency of St. Phillip (South).

Members of the Police Force were on duty at all polling stations 64 in number throughout the period of voting and at the various Counting Stations at the counting of the votes. A portable V.H.F. set was issued to officers and other Mobile Transport to enable them to report on the hour every hour to the Control Room developments at the Polling Stations for the information of the Commissioner of Police.

The discipline on the part of all in and about the polling stations was praiseworthy and the Police Officers and other ranks, as well as the Election Officers deserve high commendation rot performing their duties with quiet efficiency.

The statement Appendix “A” to this report is of interest and shows Constituency by Constituency:-

(a) Number of names on Register of Electors 26,197

(b) Total number of Electors who voted 24,879

(c) Total rejected Ballot Papers 280

(d) Total votes polled 24,599

(e) Number of votes obtained by:-

A.L.P (49.00%) 12056

P.L.M. (49.87%) 12268

IND (1.1l%) 275

The lowering of the age at which person; became eligible to register from 21 years to 18 years together with the re-registration of voters appear to be responsible for the more realistic figure of 26,197 registered voters as compared with the number of registered voters of 30682 appearing in the Voters’ List in the 1971 elections.

It is also revealed i the statement of Appendix “A” that there is an out of proportion distribution of eligible electors for the various constituencies and that the division of the boundaries for the constituencies was done on an area wise and not on a population wise basis consequently there is that great disparity of distribution as exists in the constituencies of: e.g:-

All Saints 2,404 Electors

St. John’s City West 2,102 Electors

St. John’s City East 870 Electors

St. John’s Rural West 2,885 Electors

St. John’s Rural North 1,017 Electors

The Statement Appendix “B” to this report shows the number of votes cast for each candidate in the Polling Stations of Polling Divisions in each Constituency.

As Appendix “C” to this report is a statement-Summary of Electors of Constituencies in Polling Divisions.

The number of Rejected Ballot Papers totaling 280 in number is not considered a substantial amount. The figures relating to electors entitled to vote are 26,197 and voting in 1976 are 24,879.

The summary of number of Electors registered on the official lists of Electors for the General Elections was:-

(a) in 1965 21,525

(b) in 1971 30,682

(c) in 1976 26,197

Before I end this report I would like to express my thanks to the Legal Assistant for his readiness in discussing and advising on legal points which were from time to time arising and for all the help which he gave to me. His advice and experience was certainly of great help to me. I would like to thank the Registering Officers and the Registering Clerks for all the work they did in preparation of the Draft List of Electors, the Revising Officers in the preparation of the List of Electors, the Typist, the Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks for their efficient conduct of the Elections, the Superintendent of the Government Printing Office and his Staff, Mr. Mickey Matthew of the The Antigua Broadcasting Service, the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Officers and other ranks of the Police Force for their valuable help and cooperation. Finally I would like to say a word of thanks to my Secretary and Staff and to all others who worked with me on the Election from the beginning.

Dated 25th March, 1976.

E. C. O’M. Berridge,

Supervisor of Elections.