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Photo: CARICOM's Assistant Secretary General, His Excellency Ambassador Colin Granderson (l) greets St. Kitts and Nevis' Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian at Government House during the recent Caribbean Heads of Government Summit in St. Kitts. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 23RD 2006 - Representatives of the London-based Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Georgetown, Guyana, will address the official launching of the St. Kitts and Nevis Electoral Reform Exercise on Wednesday.
The ceremony which begins at 4:00 P.M. at the Grand Ballroom of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort will also be attended by youth, students, sports associations, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations, government and private sector officials, trade unions and representatives of political parties and the Diplomatic Corps,
Commonwealth Secretary General His Excellency the Right Hon. Don McKinnon is being represented by his Special Adviser and Head of the Caribbean/Pacific Section in the Political Affairs Division, Ms. Juliet Solomon.
CARICOM's Assistant Secretary General for Foreign and Community Relations, His Excellency Ambassador Colin Granderson is representing CARICOM Secretary General, His Excellency Dr. Edwin Carrington, who is on vacation.
Leaders of the political parties or their representatives with seats in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly are down to address the gathering during the launching ceremony.
Remarks will also be made by the respective chairman of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (ERCC), Mr. Elvis Newton and the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee (NAERBC), Mr. Raphael Archibald.
~~Adz:Left~~The ceremony also includes a prayer by the Christian Council and the exhortation by the Evangelical Association.
On August 1st, St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas made public the Electoral Reform White Paper at a sitting of the National Assembly.
Government is confident that through proper consultation with all social groups, political parties, and the general public, it will ensure that these reforms guarantee that future elections in St. Kitts and Nevis continue to be free and fair and in keeping with the democratic and Constitutional rights, these reforms will not disenfranchise any voter as the reforms seek to introduce a modern and efficient electoral system.
The reform is expected to lead to a modernized electoral process with the introduction of a National Registration System, voters ID that will among other things assist citizens in accessing their rights and discharging their responsibilities.
The Electoral Reform website www.newelectoralframework.gov.kn will also be officially activated during the launching ceremony.
