Elections in St Kitts/Nevis on Monday On Old Electoral Boundaries As Douglas Slams Privy Council

Elections in St Kitts/Nevis on Monday On Old Electoral Boundaries As Douglas Slams Privy Council
Author

Clive Bacchus

Release Date

Saturday, February 14, 2015

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In the wake of Thursday’s Privy Council ruling that Monday’s general election in St Kitts and Nevis must be held on the constituency boundaries that existed before the January 16 proclamation by Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence, Prime Minister Dr Douglas has expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision.

The English law lords have ordered the Electoral Commission to use the unfair and unequal boundaries in the election, which will take place on Monday, February 16, 2015. While I profoundly disagree with this interim injunction, we have to remember that it is only a temporary measure and the issue of permanently establishing fair boundaries will be decided on a future date, “said Douglas, adding that his government had prepared the country for Monday’s general election.

The prime minister accused his political opposition of seeking to undermine democracy in St Kitts and Nevis.

He also suggested that the Privy Council was too far away to get the bigger picture in Basseterre.

“It is clear that the Privy Council has failed to take into account the democratic will and the sentiments of the people. We in Labour feel there is a real...gulf of misunderstanding between what has gone on in a court room in London and the mood of the ordinary man and woman on the streets here in St Kitts and Nevis,” the prime minister declared.

The four-term prime minister and leader of the ruling St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party sought to rally supporters for Monday’s poll.

The Privy Council ruled that general elections would not be held on the January 16 proclamation by the governor general, which Attorney General Jason Hamilton swore by affidavit was duly published. The opposition’s legal team argued, to the contrary, claiming their right to protection under law was violated and the proclamation was not duly gazetted as required by law.

Source: WINN


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