“Persons who do not intend to contest the 2023 general elections as official candidates are strongly discouraged from creating imagery and other messaging suggesting otherwise, as this may negatively affect the electoral process by creating confusion among voters,” the office said in a short statement this week

The Elections Supervisor’s Office did not give any examples of incidences where this practise was happening.

In the meantime, the office is advising all prospective independent candidates and party chairpersons to visit the Office of the Supervisor of Elections immediately to collect a document for their attention and action.

The office did not specify the contents of that document.

General Elections are slated to happen on April 24. Advance Polling Day will take place on Thursday, April 20 allowing early voting for certain categories of persons. 

The following categories of persons qualify for, and do not need to obtain permission to vote on Advance Polling Day, but must present a valid form of identification:

• Elderly persons (age 65 and older)
• Differently abled persons (e.g. persons who use devices to assist with mobility; persons who are blind or have severe visual impairment; persons who are deaf; and persons with cognitive disabilities.)
• The relative or friend that is accompanying an elderly or differentially abled person who requires assistance to cast their ballot. The relative or friend can only assist one person and must also be a registered voter within the same electoral district as the person that they are assisting. They will not be allowed to assist another voter on Polling Day.

The following category of persons are also eligible to vote on Advance Polling Day, but will be required to complete and submit application Form No. 30 by April 13, requesting permission to be treated as a voter on that day: 

• Election Officers
• Police Officers
• Persons with confirmed travel plans outside of the territory on Polling Day
• Persons on remand
• Candidates who have been successfully nominated on Nomination Day
• Medical Doctors
• Nurses
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Prison Officers
• Registered Social Care Providers (Recognised by the Ministry of Health)
Persons whose work schedule would prohibit them from voting on Polling Day.