Police Commissioner thanks voters, Electoral Commission and his officers for peaceful and orderly conduct on Election Day

The Commissioner of Police is thanking members of the public for a peaceful election process on January 18, one week ago today.

Antiguans and Barbudans went to the polls last Wednesday in what Commissioner Atlee Rodney is describing as an orderly manner in which everyone conducted themselves properly.

Rodney says the entire exercise was seamless, with very few incidents – from the opening to the closing of the polls and up to the final counting of the ballots in all constituencies.

He says he is particularly pleased with the high level of maturity and patience exhibited by voters at all of the polling stations on the day of the election.

“The respect shown towards each other was at an all-time high, and it clearly shows that we can exercise our democratic rights without being disrespectful or disruptive,” Rodney says.

He believes the peaceful outcome would not have been possible without the general support and cooperation of everyone involved.

Commissioner Rodney is also commending the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) and the media for the professional way they executed their responsibilities.

Special thanks and appreciation were extended to every member of the Police Force for performing exceptionally well during the period.

Meanwhile, members of the public are still critical of the Commissioner for the Force’s apparent inability – in the lead-up to the elections – to stem the destruction of billboards and campaign paraphernalia.

One resident is asking whether there were any measures introduced to keep the peace prior to the elections.   He believes the calm that was exhibited on the day of polling had nothing to do with the Commissioner or the Force, but was on account of the law-abiding nature of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.