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Posted: Friday 25 August, 2006 at 1:47 PM
Suelika N. Buchanan
     
    By Suelika N. Buchanan
    SKNVibes.com
     

    (L-R: Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry, Deputy Political Leader - CCM Malcolm Guishard and Political Leader - PAM Lindsay Grant)

     

    The launching of the Electoral Reform Exercise of St. Kitts and Nevis took place yesterday, Wednesday August, 23, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom.
     
    Several speakers gave remarks and their opinions about the upcoming electoral reform exercise.
     
    Remarks were made by persons such as Elvis Newton-chairman of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (ERCC) and Raphael Archibald-chairman of the National Advisory Electoral Reform Boundaries Committee (NAERBC).
     
    Newton said that the job of his committee is over a period of six weeks, conduct national consultations with all stakeholders about the proposed new electoral framework.
     
    The committee will report directly to the NAERBC within four weeks after the consultations are completed.
     
    The members of the committee are Clement "Bouncin" Williams, Clifford Thomas, Douglas Wattley, Elvin Bailey, Clive Bacchus and Mutryce Williams.
     
    The committee is expected to convene public meetings throughout the Federation and at these sessions invite persons to express concerns they might have relating to electoral reform.
     
    After several recommendations from the general public with suggested modifications the committee will report its findings to the NAERBC.
     
    This report should consolidate the main issues and recommendations raised by the public.
     
    Archibald, chairman of NAERBC said that their work begins when the work of the ERCC ends.
     
    There is also a Boundaries Technical Committee (BTC) consisting of a surveyor, demographer, statistician and economist that will conduct necessary demographic and survey work to ensure that the constituencies are equitable as possible.
     

    ~~Adz:Right~~The NAERBC will receive the report from the ERCC and will recommend solutions on issues coming out of the national consultations.
     
    The members of the NAERBC are the St. Kitts Christian Council, St. Kitts and Nevis Evangelical Associations, St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union, St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce. St. Kitts Teachers Union, St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association, Director of Youth and Parliament Political Parties.
     
    This committee would be expected to draw on its own expertise to elucidate the issues raised in public consultations and determine whether recommendations represent a practical response to the issues of concern and in cases where no recommendations have been made it would be expected to make recommendations.
     
    This committee is expected to present to the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee recommendations on how best the proposed reforms can be approached along with the foregoing in a detailed report.
     
    There were also Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Commonwealth Representatives in the persons of His Excellency Ambassador Colin Granderson and Juliet Solomon respectively who made remarks.
     
    Members of Parliament
    At the end of the electoral reform process, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is confident that it would have formulated and instituted a legally reformed electoral system.
     
    Through proper consultation with all social groups, political parties, and the general public, the Government hopes to ensure that these reforms guarantee that future elections in St. Kitts and Nevis continue to be free and fair.
     
    The reform also seeks to introduce a modern and efficient electoral system keeping with democratic and Constitutional rights and not by disenfranchising any voter.
     
    Having reviewed the report of the "Commonwealth Expert Team" of the general elections of 2004 who stated a number of recommendations including constitutional amendments are needed to establish on an independent basis an Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
     
    That will select a criteria which requires wider consultation especially with major national political parties which may not be represented in Parliament and empowering it to advise parliament on the delineation of constituency boundaries.
     
    Where completely supervise electoral process from registration to polling day, appoint a Supervisor of Elections and other election officials so as to ensure confidence in the system by those involved.
     
    The report of the "CARICOM Observers" also of the general elections of 2004, and the commitment given in the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party 2000 Election Manifesto, the Government will pursue the following proposed reforms:
     
    a)      Modernize the electoral process;
     
    1.      Introduce a National Registration System; leading to the issuance of a "Smart Card" that will among other things assist citizens in accessing their rights and discharging their responsibilities including voting.
    2.      Introduce a proper ID system for registration.
     
    b)      Review the electoral boundaries to reflect as near as possible equality in the number of inhabitants in each constituency.
     
    After the remarks by the Commonwealth representative, Pastor Leroy Benjamin who was the master of ceremonies proceeded with introducing the next speaker.
     
    Political leader of the People's Action Movement, Lindsay Grant presented concerns and proposals on behalf of his party that he said they have been advocating since 1995.
     
     The opposition party leader said that his party is calling for the establishment of an Independent Committee, in consultation with the stakeholders and the Electoral commission-an umbrella Committee which will spearhead the process and will itself recommend or appoint a shortlist of persons to serve on committees that it deems necessary to deal with the various segments of the Reform process.
     
    "We call upon the Hon. Prime Minister in the public interest, to review the actions he has taken so far in this Electoral Reform and to start again by first voiding the Committees that have been announced," he said.
     
    Members of the Nevis Island Administration
    He made suggestions such as that the Prime Minister void all appointments already made and that the Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor be removed from serving on any committee in the process among others.
     
    He also said that his party will not "runner-stamp" any process that has been done improperly; "We will not have one lone representative serve on any committee appointed to carry out the will of another party," he said.
     
    The other speakers that made remarks were Joseph Parry, Premier of Nevis and political leader of the Nevis Reformation Party as well as Malcolm Guishard, Deputy Political Leader of the Concerned Citizen Movement.
     
    Both representatives shared opinions and suggestions that reflected the views of their parties.
     
    Prime Minister Denzil Douglas was welcomed to the podium with a resounding applause and cheers from some of the attendees.
     
    "I can call the Elections tonight," he said confidently.
     
    The PM went over the plans of his Government that will ensure a proper, free and fair Electoral Reform process.
     
    He said that the appointment of several persons to the committees and serving as chairs will remain as they are because they are just and honest people.
     
    He also said that they will not repeat the same mistakes that were made the last time electoral reform was introduced and reminded all those present that his party did contest past elections.
     
    "We now move into a higher gear now as the second phase of electoral process is underway," Douglas said.
     
    After the NAEABC receives the report from the previous committees they will recommend solutions on issues out of the national consultations to the Parliament Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee (PAERBC). This committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor, with Dwyer Astaphan, Delano Bart, Malcolm Guishard, Patrice Nisbett and Shawn Richards as members.
     
    The committee would be expected to consider and make recommendations on changes to the electoral system that would

    The section of the head table at the official launch of the St. Kitts Nevis Electorial Reform Excerise (All photos by Suelika N. Buchanan)

     

    impact, The Laws of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and also The Constitution of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
     
    The committee is then expected to indicate whether its recommendations would require adjustments to the Ordinary Laws, or Constitution of the Federation.
     
    The committee will report to Parliament and its recommendations will be passed to the Office of the Attorney General. This should be a package of legislation that would express the Committee's intentions.
     
    Then the Constituency Boundaries Commission having received recommendations from the NAERBC shall submit to the Governor General its report according to the Constitutional obligations.
     
    The Electoral Commission Committee will then make recommendations to the PCERBC or send them directly to Parliament.
     
    Advancing Democracy Through Consultation
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