~~Adz:Left~~ BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 23RD 2007 (CUOPM) – The two political parties on the island of Nevis will contest the by-election next Monday 27th August to fill the vacant seat in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly.Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Leroy Benjamin said when Nomination Day closed last Saturday, the Nevis Reformation Party nominated Hon. Hensley Daniel, the Deputy Premier in the Nevis Island Administration, while the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) nominated lawyer Hon. Mark Brantley, a Nominated Member in the Nevis Island Assembly to fill the Nevis 9 seat which became vacant upon the death last June of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Hon. Malcolm Guishard, one of two CCM representatives wasMr. Benjamin in a radio and television broadcast disclosed that the total electors in the Register of Voters for the Nevis By-election is 4758.
"This represents the Revised Register of Voters as of June 2007. The Register of Voters comprises those eligible to vote, having been registered to do so as at 30th June 2007," he said."This is in accordance with Section 43 (J) (2) of the National Assembly Elections Act, which states that the register should consist of the last revised monthly list.
The Governor General’s Writ was issued on August 10th2007 thus, the last revised list before that date was the list effective on 30th June 2007. Please note that persons who registered in July and August2007 are not, I repeat, not eligible to vote as the Revision on the July and August monthly list did not meet the prescribed legal time frame," said Benjamin, who used the opportunity to appeal to voters "to examine the Register to make sure their names are listed before going to the Poll."
Polling Day is Monday 27th August 2007 and will be done at nine (9) Polling Stations to accommodate voters in Electoral District Nevis (9). The Supervisor of Elections said that presiding officers and poll clerks have been carefully selected, based on their ability, integrity and experience as many have served in earlier elections. "The Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks will be appointed on the condition that they should undertake their assigned duties without partiality, fear or favour. The Presiding Officers will be responsible for the maintenance of order at the Polling Stations," said the Supervisor of Elections, who also disclosed that police have been asked to assist and that the ballots are being printed by the Government Printery under the watchful eye of the police and agents of the two political parties in Nevis were asked to send agents to observe the ballot printing process.
Ballot boxes would be displayed, inspected and locked before Ballots are cast. At the close of the poll, the Ballot Boxes would be sealed in the presence of Agents and the Police and then transported to the place of counting, again accompanied by the Police and Agents.Supervisor of Elections Benjamin appealed to the public at large to become aware of the notices concerning directions for the guidance of voters and electoral offences, copies of which are readily available and have been disseminated via the electronic and print media.
~~Adz:Right~~ He mentioned that special attention should be paid to the Election Offences of bribery, treating and undue influence, all of which carry a penalty of twelve (12) months imprisonment or a fine of $1000.00."Attention is drawn to the sale of intoxicating liquor. No intoxicating liquor shall be sold, offered in any electoral district in which an election is being held, to which a license issued under the Liquor Licence Act applies any time between the opening and closing of Poll on Polling Day,"said Benjamin.
"Any person who directly or indirectly gives, offers or promises money, employment, loan or gifts to any voter in order to induce any voter to refrain from voting shall be deemed guilty of bribery," he said.Benjamin said that the Electoral Office with the support of the Registration Officers, Returning Officers, the Electoral Commission and the Police, will be monitoring the electoral proceedings to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free, fair and free from fear.
"All eligible voters, duly registered, are urged to exercise their franchise by voting on Monday 27th August 2007. Persons are warned that impersonation of a properly registered voter would be treated according to Law. If you are not a properly registered voter, do not attempt to vote," warned the elections supervisor, who disclosed that the penalty for impersonation is (A) on summary conviction to imprisonment for one (1) year or to a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) or to both such imprisonment and such fine. (B) on conviction thereof or indictment to imprisonment for five (5) years and in addition to such imprisonment to such fine as the court may impose," said Mr. Benjamin.
He reminded employers that voters should be allowed a reasonable period of time to carry out their constitutional right to vote. "No employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such voter or impose upon or, exact from him/ her, any penalty by reason of absence during such period," said Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin said that cameras will not be allowed in Polling Station or 100 yards there from and indicated that Presiding Officers will enforce this rule and the police have been asked to ensure that voters are not intimidated by the use of cameras, phone or otherwise.
The polls open at 7:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM on Monday 27th August 2007.The Ballots would be counted by the Returning Officer at the Magistrate Court, Charlestown Police Station. The counting of Ballots is expected to start at about 8 p.m. and will be carried live on ZIZ Radio, VON Radio, Choice FM and other local radio stations.
"The right to vote, one man one vote, is Sacred. It was hard earned so let us seek to protect it and to use it at the appropriate time. All eligible voters, duly registered are urged to exercise their franchise. I take this opportunity to seek the support and co-operation of the general public and the political parties. It is my hope that the campaign will be peaceful, without slander, half truths, innuendos and misleading stories," conclude the Supervisor of Elections.
