Speaking to the media amid the Department’s early preparations for the next general election, St Helen addressed growing public chatter about a new party and the assignment of political symbols.

“Parties don’t register with us. However, parties must seek from the Office of the Chief Elections Officer the use of a symbol.” He firmly stated, “As I speak to you, I can tell you no new party has requested any new symbol from us,” he explained.

According to St Helen, although there have been several requests for symbols, they have all come from individual independent candidates and not from any newly formed political organisation.

“A number of independent candidates have applied for symbols,” he said, noting that “some of the symbols which I have issued from my office is the key. That symbol has been issued to another entity. So I am not sure what you’re talking about at this stage.”

The clarification comes as the Electoral Department intensifies preparations for the upcoming polls. St Helen noted that physical verification exercises are underway to ensure accuracy in addresses and polling station locations.

“Some of the preparations include physical visits to the boundaries to verify the boundaries to ensure that addresses are correct,” he stated.

He also pointed out that while makeshift tents were used during the last general election, the department is aiming to utilise permanent structures this time around.