BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE people of Nevis are scheduled to head to the polls to elect a government to control the affairs of that island on January 22, 2013.
The announcement was made this evening (Jan. 5) by Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Joseph W. Parry during a simulcast that was carried on television and radio stations across the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
“I have today asked that the writ for the holding of fresh elections in Nevis be filed. I now wish to announce that Nomination Day on Nevis shall be Monday 14th January 2013 and that Nevisians shall go to the polls to elect a new Nevis Island Administration Government on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013.”
Parry’s announcement comes just about two months after he dissolved the Nevis Island Assembly. His promise then (Nov. 8) was that “in due course, and certainly within the constitutionally stipulated period, I shall advise further on the issuance of the writ of the calling of fresh elections and will also on that occasion reveal the recommended date for the nomination and voting in fresh elections”.
And this evening, Parry expressed his view that these elections are about putting individuals at the helm of Nevis; persons who are strong, committed to the island and its people.
“I am satisfied, fellow Nevisians, those of you resident at home and others living abroad and working abroad that we need strong leadership and a stable government on Nevis at this time. We need leaders on Nevis who are 100 percent committed to the cause of Nevis. This is what these elections would be about. They will be about determining and doing what’s best for Nevis.”
In calling for a “peaceful campaign”, Parry said he anticipates “another year of progress and prosperity on this island of ours”.
Background
In July 2011, the Nevis Reformation Party (which Parry leads) was elected to run the affairs of Nevis, capturing three of the five available seats with the opposition party, the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), capturing the remaining two.
Even before the election was held, Mark Brantley, Deputy Leader of the CCM and Representative for the St. John’s Constituency, had expressed serious concerns about 200-plus names of his supporters being illegally removed from the Voters’ List in his constituency.
That constituency was won by the NRP’s Deputy Leader Hensley Daniel by a mere 14 votes.
Both the Nevis High Court and the Easter Caribbean Court of Appeal heard the election petition and appeal, respectively, filed by Brantley and ruled that – among others things – Daniel’s election to office was null and void. That left the ruling government with two seats, the CCM with two and one vacant.
The CCM consistently called for a bi-election to be held, which they explained was constitutionally required given the circumstances, while Parry maintained that fresh elections were the way to go.
