PHILIPSBURG--Two weeks after the September 26 Parliamentary Elections, the Central Voting Bureau voted unanimously to validate the results of the snap elections.

 

Bureau Chairman Jason Rogers said at the open meeting held in Parliament House on Tuesday the Bureau finds "no reason not to validate the results." 

 

The validation comes after a total recount of all ballots cast in the 20 polling stations on October 3 and 4. The recount did not change the preliminary outcome of the elections that saw both the United People's (UP) party and National Alliance (NA) receive five seats each in the 15-seat Parliament, United St. Maarten Party (US Party) three seats and Democratic Party (DP) two seats. 

 

The recount did change some of the nine parties total votes received and the personal votes of some of the 125 candidates on the ballot.

 

The 15 elected Members of Parliament (MPs) as a result of the elections will now receive letters from the Bureau informing them of their election to the legislature. 

 

The first MP-elect to receive his letter was Chanel Brownbill (US Party) who was present for the open meeting. He was followed by Sidharth "Cookie" Bijlani  (UP). Both, should they accept their seats, will be first time MPs.

 

The Daily Herald