CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - MERE months after voting in the Federal Elections, Nevisians are yet again voting; this time to elect a governing body for the Nevis Island Administration.
Today’s elections will see 12 representatives across three parties vying for five seats in the Nevis Island Assembly to form the next Government.
Today (Dec. 12) brings an end to a brutal campaign for all political parties involved in the elections, as some of the same candidates were part of the August 5 Federal Elections. From then, they immediately transitioned to the Local Elections.
Polls opened promptly at 7:00 a.m. across the island and there has been a mixed turnout thus far, with lines at some of the stations and no one at others.
Despite the planning for the Elections, there were several hiccups during the opening hours of the polls.
According to the incumbent Premier and Candidate, Mark Brantley, there were challenges with the voters’ list and where should people should vote.
“We are ironing out those difficulties as we go. The electoral officials have been very cooperative and we are hopeful of having a good election. There were one or two incidents in Charlestown that agents from one of the parties were creating difficulties and the police were called out and we were able to address that,” Brantley disclosed to Freedom FM.
Addressing the topic of voter turnout, the Premier noted that thus far the numbers look “steady”, reminding that there is a rush in the early morning hours and a rush later in the evening hours.
A similar trend is expected today as voters make their way to the various polling sites.
"Thus far, I have seen a few elections, it is quite steady. I think the turnout right now is quite good," said Brantley.
