BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas once again teased the nation about announcing a date for the upcoming election, other politicians have voiced their desire to see a fixed date established.
In his New Year’s address, Hon. Mark Brantley, Leader of the Federal Opposition, claimed that the practice of the PM walking around with the date of a general election in his back pocket had passed its sell by date.
Similarly, Leader of opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Lindsay Grant, said in a statement that Douglas was being “unprofessional” and “disrespectful” in the execution of his constitutional duties.
Both men have promised to push for the creation of a permanent election date every five years if they are elected, or in Brantley’s case, re-elected.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, the Nevisian politician outlined the case for a fixed date, saying it would add certainty to the political process and create stability in the country.
“A fixed date allows politicians, political parties and the general public to have a better plan leading up to and during the election campaign. It levels the playing field for opposition parties, and elections would be more sensible and orderly.
“The Prime Minister would not be able to toy with the general public as he has been doing. He has been giving us false alarms and raising people’s excitement that elections will be called, only to keep disappointing them. A fixed date would remove all that.”
Brantley added that if the past year had taught the country anything, it was that the public should not be held “ransom” by politicians and their machinations. He predicted that the Federation could become a model for the rest of the region if these issues were confronted.
Many thought that PM Douglas would have announced the election date during a concert at Warner Park on Sunday (Jan. 3) evening. He instead remained coy and said that a date would be announced before the end of the week.
Elections are constitutionally due by March 15.
Critics of a permanent election date argue that it could result in high candidate expenses and it represents a departure from Parliamentary tradition. In CARICOM member states, Prime Ministers or Premiers are allowed to set the polling date, but developed nations such as the US and Canada have established a fixed day.
Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, said that a fixed date would usher in “an era of greater transparency” in the political process, and called for extensive debate and dialogue around the subject.
“In order to make this a reality, certain constitutional changes will be required to ensure there is no traumatisation of the government or destabilisation of the people. There must be constitutional arrangements in place to ensure stability and to hold the instruments of government and society together until the next election.”
Astaphan also stated that, aside from levelling the playing field and fostering confidence in democratic systems, a fixed date would reduce the powers of the Prime Minister. He noted that the present constitution imposed too much power in the Office of the Prime Minister, which would need to be held in check to prevent any abuse of that position.
