BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SINCE outgoing Political Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) – Lindsay Grant - announced his resignation, many names have been thrown about as a “possible” replacement.
And while some may figure it is as easy as that, there is a clearly-defined process which must be followed in electing a party leader.
On Thursday (Aug. 2), PAM issued a release informing that the political organisation’s National Council has set a date for the election of a political leader, with a Special Delegates Convention (caucus) slated for September 23, 2012 and a Special Convention for September 30, 2012.
Outlining the process which is to be followed in the election of a party leader, PAM’s Chairman – Selwyn ‘Rusty’ Liburd - said candidates for the position would have to be nominated during the nomination period which – in this case – ends at 2:00 p.m. on August 23.
At the completion of that leg, all nominees would be checked against specific criteria to ensure that they (1) qualify as a member of the party and (2) are eligible for the leadership position.
The names of all the nominees – Liburd told this publication – would be forwarded to the caucus (Special Delegates Meeting) where they would be required to make a presentation to the attendees.
The voting process would follow, where 15 individual from each of the eight constituencies, three from the National Women’s Group, three from the Young Pamites group and the executive members would cast their votes.
He said – however – it is unlikely that the name of the political leader-elect would be announced then, but it would be done one week later after the decision would have been ratified by the September 30 Special Convention – which is open to all members of the party.
“Once the voting is processed and the votes are counted and there is a winner, that person would be political leader-elect. I don’t think we will give out the name at that time because that person is still not yet definitely the winner. That person would go to the convention on Sunday, September 30 and once the convention ratifies that person, then we can announce on Sunday 30 who the political leader is…”
The next political leader of the People’s Action Movement would not be officially known until September 30, 2012. However, both co-Deputy Leaders of PAM – Shawn Richards and Eugene Hamilton – have indicated that they would be vying for the position.
Grant’s resignation would take effect on the same day that the new leader is to be named.
