BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 4th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - People’s Action Movement Leader, Lindsay Grant has renewed his call for the establishment of a permanent election date when holding federal elections in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Grant renewed this call after he described Prime Minister Douglas’ toying of the date as an attempt to continue playing with the mind and emotions of the public.
Grant noted that the PM had indicated he was going to make a major announcement last night and had urged the public to come out in their numbers; however, when people turned out the Prime Minister had yet again refused to call elections. He said that the Prime Minister is not affected or blocked from naming the eager date, noting that there are no impediments in his way. He said that despite Dr. Douglas’ issue of getting Christmas and Carnival behind him before naming a date, he has once again refused to do so.
The party’s Leader disclosed that it’s the eleventh time that the Prime Minister had called out the public to his ploy of making a major announcement. He said that the eleven times have been done via radio and public meetings since last year.
“He has to understand that the people of this Federation can no longer continue like this, and as such I call on every right minded thinking citizen and resident to raise their voice in condemnation of this unprofessional and disrespectful act being committed by Dr. Douglas,” Grant said.
Grant noted that the Prime Minister has no intention of allowing committed individuals to cease and correct the enormous and continuous failings of his Government, adding that Kittitians and Nevisians have endured too much and the Prime Minister needs to be cognizant that his mandate has expired since October 25th last year and he should cease his antics and call elections.
He pointed out that the continuous toying with the election date, with the Prime Minister being the only person knowledgeable as to when it would be called, further demonstrates that Dr. Douglas refuses to adhere to the constitutional requirement which dictates that the dissolution of Parliament is to proceed with elections.
He added that the Prime Minister’s continued flaunting and compete disrespect for the Federation’s Constitution and his obvious disregard for law and order reinforce the urgent and pertinent need for the establishment of a fixed election date, which would allow every individual and party to be guided.
He went on to note that refusal to adhere to the continued wishes of the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to underscore the point that Dr. Douglas has no intention of listening to the people who have all been calling for the announcement of election.
Grant declared that once elected he would established a permanent date for elections, noting that it would serve as a guideline to political parties, candidates and, most importantly, the voters. He added that the Prime Minister should never be the only individual in receipt of such a date, but rather it should be public information accessed by all.
He said that citizens and residents should come together and speak out against this continued disrespect being portrayed by Dr. Douglas, noting it would certainly result in significant difficulties and challenges for all. Grant further noted that St. Kitts and Nevis could not sustain another five years under the Douglas-led administration and the writing is already on the wall, which indicates that the Prime Minister is scared of calling elections and the public needs to rescue the Federation from complete destruction.
Grant said that all Kittitians and Nevisians should join the PAM and stand up to the atrocities and the many ills of Dr. Denzil Douglas and his Labour Party, declaring that the people of this Federation would no longer accept “incompetence, corruption, injustices, unaccountability, victimization and discrimination” masquerading as the people’s Government.
