Last week, Norbert claimed that some registered voters were mistakenly being moved to the list of deceased individuals, sparking questions about the accuracy of the electoral roll.
“Several of our constituents are experiencing issues with their ID cards. During a recent enumeration exercise, some people who are very much alive were removed from the voters’ list and placed on the deceased registry. When I asked about it, I was told that a death certificate is required to remove someone’s name from the list. I need clarity on what is happening,” Norbert said at a recent party event.
Chief Elections Officer Herman St. Helen assured citizens that the department follows established electoral rules and proper procedures.
“I don’t believe that claim is accurate. There is a formal process in place for handling deaths. First, I want to tell the public that if Mr. Norbert has a list of names, he should bring it to our office so we can review it,” St. Helen said.
In Saint Lucia, the Chief Elections Officer is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition. The role is intended to be independent and impartial, tasked with overseeing all aspects of elections and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
St. Helen emphasized that no individual is removed from the voter registry without official verification.
“Names are never removed without a death certificate. Here’s how we do it: we receive monthly reports from funeral homes identifying deceased individuals and their locations, which we cross-check against our own records. We also monitor obituaries across various media outlets to verify the information. A death certificate is required before any name is deleted from the list,” he explained.
He also invited Norbert to work directly with the department to resolve any discrepancies.
“I am willing to meet with Mr. Norbert at any time. If he brings his list, we can review it together and conduct a proper investigation. The Electoral Department does not act arbitrarily; we operate strictly according to the law,” he said.
The department reiterated its commitment to transparency and legal compliance in managing voter registration and maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll.