Daniel resigned from the Nevis Island Administration Cabinet on Monday, August 27, hours after the verdict in the Nevis Election Petition Appeal Case was handed down by teleconference in the Charlestown Court House on Monday morning. The Appeal Court declared the July 11, 2011 elections in St. John’s, Nevis 2, a seat previously held by Mr. Daniel, null and void.
The ministries for which the former Island Assemblyman had responsibilities, included Health, Gender Affairs, Social Development, Youth and Sports, Community Affairs, Trade and Industry, Licensing Unit and Culture.
Parry described his former deputy as being in good spirits, since the court’s decision on Monday 27th August, 2012. The Premier also disclosed that Mr. Daniel was already back on the campaign trail in the St. John’s constituency, which he served for the past 6 years in the Assembly.
The Premier, who is also Leader of the ruling Nevis Reformation Party, NRP, praised Daniel for the achievements he registered in various areas of his ministries. These he said included the popularly-acclaimed social programs that have impacted Nevisians from the “womb to the tomb”, and transformed Nevisian society. He also listed the Homework Attachment Program, a Senior Citizens Program, and Youth Empowerment initiatives.
There was much confidence being expressed by the Nevisian leader, who made it clear in his comments that whenever he decides to call either a by-election or a poll in all five of Nevis’ constituencies, his NRP Administration will be returned with a strong mandate from the people.
The Premier also used his comments to address concerns being raised by some segments of the Nevisian society that there is now no legal Administration in the island, because the court decision means that both the NRP and the opposition Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM, each have two seats in the Assembly. However, the constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis is clear on the issue, because it allows for the continuation of the incumbent Administration, until the elections are called and a new government is installed, once gaining the minimum 3 seat majority. The NRP Administration has 90 days in which to call either a by election or general poll, but from recent discussions with the Premier, he appeared to be leaning toward a new poll with all five seats at stake.