By Kisean Joseph
Concerns over inappropriate attire at registration centres where citizens are renewing voter ID cards have been raised by Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes.
He says there has been an influx of individuals dressed in a manner deemed unsuitable for the professional environment. These include spaghetti straps, short shorts, and t-shirts bearing offensive or racially insensitive content.
“We are asking persons when they present themselves to the office that they present themselves properly attired,” Hughes stated.
The Electoral Commission (ABEC) is in the process of renewing 40,000 expired voter ID cards at registration centres set up across the country.
Hughes emphasised that while photos for the cards primarily capture the upper torso, the entire visit occurs in a government facility where a dress code is in effect.
“There is a dress code, and we’re asking persons to dress appropriately, dress properly,” he added.
The identification cards in question serve multiple purposes beyond voting, including use for business and in some instances regional travel.
“I remember when I went to Barbados some time ago, that’s what I travelled back to Antigua on, my voter’s ID card,” the official recalled, highlighting the document’s importance.
In addition to appropriate clothing, he is advising people to ensure they are well-groomed for the photo.
“Also make sure that your hair is well done. If you need to have your makeup on fleek, that’s one of the trending words, that persons continue to bear in mind that this is an official document,” Hughes noted.
He expressed frustration at having to remind citizens of proper etiquette when visiting official establishments.
“I think persons ought to be aware that whenever you’re going to a business place, a government office, that there is a certain dress code and therefore we expect persons to adhere to that so that we can conduct business,” Hughes concluded.
