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In an interview earlier today, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine provided an update on his experience at the polling station and the overall progress of the election.
The process, according to Augustine, went smoothly. "I was elected number 149 in my station. For a rural area like Speyside, that is pretty high at this time of the day. Usually, we would get a surge in the late afternoon hours. But it meant that we had quite a number of voters early this morning," he said. He further explained that his polling station carries two divisions, and the number 149 referred to his position in the polling division where he voted.
Augustine was also asked if there were any issues during the morning's voting process. He acknowledged problems encountered in the West, specifically regarding the appointment of sub-agents. "The process for appointing sub-agents is one where the party, by way of a letter to EBC, will list and appoint those sub-agents five days prior. We in fact did that," he explained. Sub-agents replace polling agents when necessary, for instance, if a polling agent needs to leave the station temporarily. However, Augustine stated that despite following the proper procedure, sub-agents were not allowed access to the polling station. "Our sub-agents were not allowed inside, and we had to call Mr. Parrys out. We did what was required based on the regulations and the law, and there’s no reason why all sub-agents were not allowed inside," he said.
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