In order to protect the confidentiality of the elections on Election Day, May 25th, the administration of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has decided to take strict measures. One of the measures is a proposed ban on ballot selfies. This means that it is not allowed to take selfies in the voting booths. The ban is aimed at making sure that political parties can’t force voters to take ballot selfies in exchange for rewards.

Home Affairs (BIZA) Minister Delano Landvreugd revealed this measure in response to questions from MP Rabin Parmessar (NDP). 

MP Parmessar expressed his concern regarding the ballot selfie phenomenon.

“The proposed measures clearly state that it is forbidden to enter the voting booths with a smartphone,” said Minister Landvreugd who added that the voting booths will be transparent to make sure that voters are discouraged from taking ballot selfies. Five years ago voters were given a smartphone by political parties to take ballot selfies. In exchange for their vote, the voters could keep the smartphone or were given money as a reward. Other political parties and many citizens disapproved of the fact that voters were given bribes by people who wanted to determine the outcome of the general elections in their favor.