Ballot Box Safety Questioned as Election Day Approaches in SVG

As the nation prepares for the upcoming general election on 27 November 2025, attention is turning to a critical — and often under-examined — component of the democratic process: the security and integrity of the ballot boxes themselves. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), questions over storage, chain of custody and transparency around ballot boxes have surfaced repeatedly in past elections, raising concerns about whether the boxes can indeed be considered safe and trustworthy in this electoral cycle.

What has happened previously

The history of concerns around ballot-boxes in SVG includes the following documented incidents:

• In 2007, a ballot box from polling station B in North Windward was discovered in a Government Printery building storage room. According to the then-Supervisor of Elections the “removal of the box remains a mystery”.
• In the December 2015 election, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) alleged that ballot boxes were imperfectly sealed and that the design of some ballots was defective (for instance, missing the space for the presiding officer’s mark).
• In 2020, opposition members claimed that illegal ballots were dropped into boxes when agents reportedly left polling stations (e.g., for “bathroom breaks”).
• Court petitions have sought inspection of ballot boxes in constituencies such as Central Leeward, but courts have sometimes refused the applications, citing issues of process or abuse of court procedure.

Together, these episodes reveal recurring themes: inadequate seals or storage, incomplete documentation of chain of custody, ballot design issues, and restricted oversight of box contents.

Are the ballot boxes safe now? A critical assessment

The mere presence of the ballot box at polling stations is necessary, but not sufficient in guaranteeing election integrity. For the boxes to be “safe”, several conditions need to be met:

1. Secure chain of custody: From preparation, transportation, storage prior to polling, use on polling day, sealing, transport after polling, to final storage, each link must be documented and protected. Past incidents show gaps — a box found in an unlocked building, questionable sealing on others.
2. Proper sealing and tamper-evidence: Election observers in 2016 flagged that seals were placed incorrectly (e.g., across flat parts instead of through the slot) and in some cases absent.
3. Transparency and agent access: Polling agents for each party must have access and oversight at each stage. Allegations in 2020 of ballots deposited during agent absence undermine this.
4. Ballot design and box slot integrity: If ballots are not clearly marked, or boxes have large slots allowing bulk insertion, risk of stuffing increases. In the 2015 case a slot size of “one and a half inches” wide was cited as concerning.

Given the historical record, one cannot confidently assert that the ballot boxes are fully “safe” in SVG without robust assurances, enhanced processes, and active monitoring in the upcoming election.

Why this matters

Ballot boxes are physically where votes become sealed; they are the vessel of the electorate’s voice. If their integrity is compromised:

• Voter confidence may erode, reducing turnout or increasing apathy.
• Election outcomes may be legitimately questioned, prolonging dispute, litigation and political instability.
• The fairness of the entire democratic process is called into question, potentially inviting external scrutiny or intervention.

In a small-state context such as SVG, where margins can be tight, minor irregularities can have outsized influences.

What to watch for and what to ask

For voters, civil society, political parties and international observers, the following are key points to monitor:

• Pre-poll storage: Are boxes stored in secure facilities under lock, and under the supervision of the Electoral Office of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or other trusted entity?
• On‐day sealing: Are boxes sealed in front of party agents before polling begins? Is the integrity of the seal visible and unquestioned?
• Slot size and design: Is the ballot-slot appropriately sized and secured to prevent mass insertion without detection?
• Transportation after polling: How are boxes moved from polling station to counting centre or storage? Is the path monitored, logged and witnessed?
• Access for agents and observers: Are party agents allowed to witness the sealing, opening and counting? Are there provisions for objection or challenge?
• Post-election handling: Are boxes stored securely until any required recounts, inspections or final disposal? Are there logs?
• Prompt and transparent reporting of irregularities: If issues arise (missing seal, missing box, agent excluded), are these documented publicly, promptly, and is corrective action taken?