Court 5 in Kirk House was transformed into Command Central for 22 important hours in the life of the nation.
From 5am Wednesday until 3am Thursday, officials from the Elections Office answered questions, dispatched assistance, logged reports and announced polling results.
Technology installed in the courtroom allowed for a myriad of computers and monitors. The jury box accommodated dignitaries who came to observe. The public gallery was assigned to the media.
Ms Deborah Ebanks occupied the judge’s bench as the Command Centre’s manager.
Supervisor of Elections Kearney Gomez was in charge overall, assisted by Deputy Supervisors Orrett Connor and Colford Scott. All three were approachable as the go-to guys when immediate decisions were needed or when answering a question required special authority.
The first big burst of activity actually occurred outside Kirk House when a contingent of police officers arrived to be transported to the various polling stations throughout Grand Cayman.
The Commissioner of Police himself came to dispatch the men and women under his command to their assigned polling stations.
Shortly afterwards, the presiding officers at those polling stations began reporting their state of readiness to Command Central. Radio officers handled the communications while other staff logged the information on paper. Another officer entered the data into the computer system.
At minutes after 6am, a West Bay officer reported that everything was in readiness and people were lined up eager to vote. The response was that everyone had to wait until 7am.
At 10 minutes before that hour, Mr. Scott began the countdown to the opening of the polls and all stations opened simultaneously, on time.
When presiding officers began reporting voter turnout, the information technology people compiled the statistics. Media representatives were provided with the information and asked to let the public know, so that long lines could be avoided.
At 4pm, it was noted that post offices were opening in order for returning officers to pick up any postal ballots that might have come in. Polls closed at 6pm and there were no voters waiting in line any where.
Counting commenced at 7.07pm in West Bay East. The first results came from North Side – at 9.07pm.
Again, the facts and figures were transmitted to reporters present and to the world through Internet connections.
Observers included the Governor, Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy and Chief Secretary George McCarthy.
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