KINGSTOWN – The two main political parties contesting the December 13 general election have condemned acts of violence and are appealing for peace in the last few days of the campaign.
Both the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) have issued separate statements condemning the gun attacks apparently between rival supporters on Wednesday.
The Questelles Police Station, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, has not yet issued a statement.
The State-owned National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reported that the two men were both shot in the leg during the altercation on Wednesday night.
It said reports indicated that after the incident, the alleged attacker turned himself in to the police.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has said that anyone engaging in any act of violence during the campaign would be prosecuted.
“Let me make it very clear: violence as a form of political expression will not be tolerated. I don’t care if you do it in the name of the NDP, ULP, or anyone else: If you attack someone, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Gonsalves said in a statement through the ruling ULP.
He said that with the elections just ten days away “it is important for Vincentians to realise that an election is only free as long as we all respect each others’ right to political expression in a peaceful manner”.
NDP leader Arnhim Eustace has repeated his invitation for Gonsalves to join him in a joint Press conference condemning violence.
Gonsalves had earlier blanked Eustace’s invitation.
“What I want is that our country go through this election period without violence, without any more violence so that we can have a peaceful election here in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Eustace said., adding
“I invite yet again the prime minister to join me in a joint appeal for peace, not as politicians but as fathers and members of local communities”.
Eustace said he had also written to the chairman of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States outlining the party’s concerns leading up to the elections.
“It is vitally important for our country that we take action now, supported by the international community, to ensure that these peaceful, free and fair elections are held in St Vincent and the Grenadines on December the 13,” he said.
“I want to take this opportunity again to appeal to all Vincentians. I don’t care whether you are NDP or ULP, we [condemn] the violence, it is not necessary, it is not needed,” Eustace said.
(CMC)