Premier of Nevis and Leader of the ruling Nevis Reformation Party, NRP, Mr. Joseph Party has scheduled a media address for 7:00pm, (tonight) Saturday 5th January, and it is widely felt that during the address he will announce the date for the local island elections, which must be held before month-end, as required by the constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis.
All this stems from the 11th July, 2011 elections on Nevis that saw the NRP being declared winner of 3, out of five seats, with the opposition Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM, winning the other two seats. However, there was a challenge by the CCM’s candidate for the constituency of St. John’s, claiming that due to certain irregularities that disenfranchised over 200 voters, the election should be declared null and void. The matter went to court and the High Court agreed. The NRP Administration appealed but the Appeals Court of the Eastern Caribbean upheld the decision of the lower court; making the seat vacant.
Based on the constitution of the country, this meant that a by-election was required within 90 days but the NRP, close to the expiry of the three month period, had the local assembly dissolved, paving the way for a full island election, instead of one only in St. John’s. The time is running out and now the “bell is about to be rung” as the people of St. Kitts and Nevis refer to a pending election date announcement.
A release from the Premier’s Ministry late Friday night indicated that Mr. Parry will address the Nation on Saturday, 5th January, 2013 at 7:00pm.
It said that the televised and radio address will be broadcast on Nevis Cable Channel 8, Choice 105.3FM, ZIZ RADIO 95.9/96.1FM and Freedom 106.5FM.
Supporters of the NRP are already in campaign mood and have been fancying their party’s chances of another victory but so too are the supporters of the CCM.