BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ALTHOUGH the national NGO Coalition has described the January 25 election as generally free and fair, the group criticised “the disruptive presence” of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas on polling day.
The Coalition, consisting of the Evangelical Association, the Christian Council and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, formed the national observation team for the recent election won by the incumbent St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party. Its formal report was disseminated to media houses and the general public late yesterday afternoon (Feb. 15).
In the 22-page document, the behaviour of electoral personnel, polling agents and voters is mostly praised. However, the Coalition noted a number of troubling issues, including the inappropriateness of some polling stations, the slow progress of voting lines (particularly in Constituencies One and Five), voters that were non-resident in their polling divisions, and the “unwarranted” military presence in some areas.
But the report saved its harshest words for PM Douglas, accusing him of participating in voter altercations in Constituency Four and using security forces to ferry around voters from his constituency into other districts.
“The NGO observers witnessed a conversation between Douglas and the military, in which he berated them for their failure to collect voters from Constituency Six in order for them to vote in Four and Five...it was evident that he made his presence felt in an effort to ensure his Constituency Six voters were allowed to vote wherever they wished.
“The NGO Coalition is firmly of the view that no politician – even if he is Prime Minister – should conduct himself in such a manner. As head of government, [he] should always be cognisant of his function as a role model...respect is earned and it would be difficult to squeeze such respect out of young, impressionable citizens who are fully aware of the unacceptable manner in which some of them conduct their professional lives.”
Two Coalition observers were present in each constituency from 7:00 a.m. until the boxes were transported to the various counting sites at nightfall. They were also present for the counting of the ballots, which they stated was done in a “transparent and open manner”, but was turned into an “inordinately long process” due to numerous recounts.
Notable among the organisation’s 17 recommendations are increased voter and electoral official education, the construction of wheelchair access and covered walkways at polling stations, a switch to electronic voting and conducting preliminary counts at each polling station.
Moreover, the grouping is advocating for the contraction of an independent audit firm to oversee the vote-counting, and advising the Supervisor of Elections and his team to conduct mock exercises prior to the election to improve the voting process.
The Coalition also registered serious concern over the use of Defence Force personnel and vehicles to facilitate the machinations of political parties.
“There should be a serious review of the need for the presence of Defence Force personnel in riot gear toting M16 rifles. It was also clearly observed in Constituency Four that Defence Force military vehicles were being used to transport voters from St. Pauls to other polling stations,” read the report.
“This is an abuse of state assets, and is certainly biased, given the fact that these persons were supporters of the ruling party. Such a practice should be vehemently condemned and discontinued.”
