BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE conduct of the recently-held General Elections is expected to be the centre of an investigation sanctioned by Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris and would form the first phase of electoral reform.
This is according to the Prime Minister who, at the time of comment, was making an address to the nation via ZIZ Television and Radio and other radio stations in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Recalling the happenings of Election Day (Feb. 16) and the days immediately following, Prime Minister Harris noted that they were extraordinary in nature and highlighted the need for reform of the electoral processes.
“Election Day and the next two days thereafter produced many dramatic and extraordinary events, including the unprecedented suspension of the announcement of election results by the Supervisor of Elections and the removal of state assets by agents of the former administration. I want the people of our great Federation to know that electoral reform begins today.
“The election trickery during the campaign has no place in a free, democratic society. Therefore, in keeping with our promise to implement election reform, I have asked the Hon. Attorney-General to look into irregularities of the entire 2015 electoral system.”
The Prime Minister did not give specifics but he informed that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has become involved in some issues related to the 2015 electoral process.
“We need to know the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this voting system as a basis for proceeding with true electoral reform. In addition, I have received confirmation from the Hon. Attorney-General that certain matters relating to the 2015 electoral system have been referred to the police for investigation.”
He said the results from the February 16, 2015 General Elections have been gazetted and published as the law mandates and that they had not been queried via election petition.
At the end of the General Elections, the Team Unity alliance won seven of the 11 seats with the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party/Nevis Reformation Party capturing the remaining four.
“The period for the filing of election petitions has expired. No candidate has challenged the results. All have accepted them as reflecting the will of the people. Let us remember that we are a democracy. No matter how we differ, we must continue to build on our young developing democracy called St. Kitts and Nevis. Our ancestors, those that sacrificed so much expect this from us!”
