In its editorial of the August 11th to August 17th edition, the Leewards Times states that "like all conscientious and fair-minded residents of the Federation," it "fully supports electoral reform," pointing out that "before reformation of any electoral laws in a democratic state, the people within the country in question, must have their say and this is done through an elected body of noteworthy individuals residing in that particular country."

"This was done by the Labour Government even with the inclusion of a non-national in WINN FM's Clive Bacchus, as a member of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee," said the Leewards Times, noting that the establishing of these Committees was based on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Observer Mission.

The Leewards Times says it finds it most appropriate that the parties concerned  publicly debate the issue in order for the man on the street to better comprehend how decisions would be made for his future involvement in election processes in a democratic state.

In its editorial of 8th August, Sun St. Kitts/Nevis said there is every indication that the "Government is very serious about electoral reform."

"It is most useful that this exercise takes place" and "at least, critical time to deal with the affairs of the country will not be lost in attempts to clarify matters through the courts after each election," said Sun St.

Kitts/Nevis.

The paper added: "it is the right thing to do and the timing, though many would have liked it to have been a bit earlier, is still good."

Proclaiming its support for the Electoral Reform Exercise, Sun St.

Kitts/Nevis called on the Federation to "support the effort and put the country on the right path to development, from those we elected to serve us and in the prescribed manner."

Unlike when major changes were made the electoral laws in 1983 by the then governing People's Action Movement (PAM) without any form of consultation with the people, the Administration of St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has ensured that there will be widespread public discussion on the issue. Prime Minister Douglas has laid a White Paper on Electoral Reform in the National Assembly. A Electoral Reform Consultative Committee is to begin public hearings in both St. Kitts and Nevis and overseas on the issue.

~~Adz:Right~~All political parties with seats in the National Assembly have representation on the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee and the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee.

The membership of the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee is as follows: Hon. Sam Condor, Leader of Government Business (Labour Party); Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, (Labour Party); Hon. Delano Bart (Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs); Hon. Malcolm Guishard, Leader of the Opposition (Concerned Citizens Movement); Hon.

Patrice Nisbett,  Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) and Hon. Shawn Richards, People's Action Movement (PAM).

The Concerned Citizen's Movement, the Nevis Reformation Party, the People's Action Movement and the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party have been invited to nominate representatives to the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee. That Committee also has representatives of the St.

Kitts Christian Council, the Nevis Evangelical Association, the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, the St. Kitts Teachers Union, the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association, the St.

Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Department of Youth.

By law members to National Assembly are appointed to the Electoral Commission and the Constituency Boundaries Commission by the Governor General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

The Chairmen of both Commissions are appointed by the Governor General acting in his own deliberate judgement.