BASSETERRE – Voters in this twin island Federation were electing a new government on Friday with both the ruling coalition, Team Unity and the main opposition St kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) extremely confident of winning the election.
The Supervisor of Elections, Elvin Bailey, says protocols have been developed to safeguard voters against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as they go to the 129 polling stations on the two islands to cast their ballot.
Bailey said that 35 860 voters in St Kitts and 12 176 in Nevis, are eligible to cast ballots on Friday in the election that is being observed by a three-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Observer Team, headed by Gasper Jean Baptiste, the Chief Elections Officer of St Lucia.
Both the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth Secretariat said they were unable to send teams to observe the elections after indicating that the measures put in place by the government to deal with the COVID-19 had made it impossible to participate in the exercise.
Bailey said that 17 candidates representing the People’s Labour Party (PLP) of Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris and the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and the SKNLP headed by former prime minister Dr Denzil Douglas will contest the eight seats in St Kitts. There is one independent candidate.
In addition, the three seats on Nevis will be contested by six candidates representing the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) and the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP). The CCM and PAM are members of the outgoing Harris-led Team Unity administration.
The polling stations, which opened at 7 a.m. will close at 6 p.m. and Bailey said that counting of the ballots should begin two hours later.
Police Commissioner, Hilroy Brandy, in a statement, warned that the role of the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force during any general election is very critical.
“We are charged with maintaining law and order throughout the entire process, and are committed to ensuring voters can exercise their franchise in an environment free of violence and intimidation, among other things,” he said.
The commissioner said the police as well as members of the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force “will be out in their numbers around the country, particularly in the area of polling stations, to ensure the security of the people and that orderly voting is maintained”.
“I urge the public to cooperate with the police and other members of the security forces in a determined effort to avoid any mishaps and/or breaches of the peace. Let us work together to ensure the security of all citizens and property.
“Additionally, the general public is, hereby, reminded to obey all the COVID-19 health protocols that have already been established in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, in particular social distancing and the wearing of face masks.”
Bradley warned that any breaches of any section of the regulations in this regard is likely to result in the appropriate police action being taken, which includes making an arrest and prosecution.
In the last general election, Team Unity won seven of the 11 seats at stake, with the remainder going to the SKNLP and the NRP. (CMC)
