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March 18 will not be a public holiday – Trotman

Mar 10, 2016 News

-Schools to close March 17
March 18 will not be designated a public holiday by Central Government, owing to the fact that Government projects that the Local Government Elections (LGE) will see a lower turnout than the general and regional elections.
This was the view of Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during the post cabinet press briefing yesterday.
“There is no indication that this will be declared a national holiday,” Trotman said. “Traditionally, and in other parts of the world (as well) LGE are not treated, unfortunately, with the same level of importance and urgency as regional and national elections.”
“And they are traditionally accompanied by a lower turnout and lesser interest,” he continued. “We do not see the need for a national holiday. It has been noted that the Ministry of Education has made a decision to have the schools closed which would mean that the school buildings closed for polling stations.”
Trotman was asked whether declaring a public holiday would not encourage voters to come out and vote. He expressed doubt about what considerations previous governments used in declaring such days as national holidays,
“(I don’t know) whether it would stimulate one set of people to go out. There are different motivations,” he said. “So in our view and in our assessment, there is no need for a national holiday. And I believe that (Tuesday’s) voting among the disciplined forces provided a kind of litmus test as to what we can expect.”
Trotman however expressed hope that in the weeks leading up to LGE, all the stakeholders involved, including GECOM, and the contestants would ramp up their drive to get more people out to vote.
In a press release yesterday the Ministry of Education notified the public that all public schools will be closed for the Easter Holidays from Thursday, March 17, 2016 and not March 18, 2016 as was previously communicated.
The early closure of schools is due to the holding of Local Government Elections on March 18, 2016.
Adding that the Ministry regretted any inconvenience caused, the release stated that schools will reopen on Monday, April 4, 2016.

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