BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST about four days after its establishment, founders of the ‘Legal fund in defence of democracy in Nevis’ have reported that the initiative is receiving “overwhelming support” not only from Nevisians but also from persons across the globe.
The fund was established by the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) following the July 11, 2011 Local Elections in Nevis when the party was defeated three seats to two by the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP).
According to the CCM, the deciding constituency (St. John) was padded and led to a twisted result, costing the CCM the victory.
The party maintains that some 200-plus legally registered voters were disenfranchised when their names were removed from the Voters’ List an approximate week before the election took place.
It also maintains that the majority of those voters were registered in the St. John’s Constituency.
On Friday, July 15, Deputy Leader of the CCM Mark Brantley disseminated an email which described the election as a “near fatal blow” to democracy in Nevis. As a result, the CCM has committed itself to “lead the charge to challenge the election results as being entirely bogus and unsafe”.
Brantley, who also serves as Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Federal Parliament, made clear that this initiative “is not about the CCM” but rather “the protection of our democracy and the preservation of our country as one based on law”.
Such undertakings are costly and in soliciting the assistance of the public, the CCM created an account at Scotia Bank (Account # 51367001) to which persons can make deposits in aid of the cause.
“We are asking you to help in whatever amount you can. You can also make a cheque payable to (the) Concerned Citizens Movement. Thanks you so much for your help. This fight is OUR right for us and for generations to come,” the email read.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, the CCM’s Press Secretary, Mervin Hanley, said while he could not give an amount of monies already donated but noted that the response has been overwhelming.
“As far as the figure that we have collected, I cannot give you an amount at this time but I can tell you that it’s overwhelming. We have been even forced to open an account just to accommodate the overseas nationals, and not only nationals but folks from all walks of life, and that will be established by tomorrow. But as far as the funds are concerned, Nevisians from all walks of life – not only CCM supporters – are coming into the headquarters, are meeting the candidates in the street…and they are just pouring in the funds; whether it is $5, $10, $50, the funds are coming from all walks of life to support this cause.”
He said the response has surpassed the CCM’s expectations. However, an appeal has been made for fellow citizens on St. Kitts to also make a contribution to the effort.
“Yes, we expected to get funds but we are a bit surprised of the response. We anticipated that this will be a Nevisian effort but, apart from Nevis, we have received assistance from all over the Caribbean. We have even had lawyers calling in from Connecticut, California and all over, wanting to be a part of this cause. So this is just not a Nevisian effort, it seems now like a global effort.
“I am saying to those over in St. Kitts, I know that they also believe in good governance, they believe in transparency, they also believe in decency and I think they too have been victimised by the ruling political party over in St. Kitts. We are asking them to join this effort because what is going to happen is this is going to set precedence…The Caribbean is looking at Nevis right now, and so I am asking all of them to join the cause and let Nevis be an example for future.”
