KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – With just three days left before the official nomination of candidates for the December 13 general elections, the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) is yet to address questions regarding its candidate to challenge Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
There are unconfirmed reports that nurse Margaret London, who had been earmarked to contest the North Central Windward seat, will not get the nod.
NDP public relations officer Vynnette Frederick did not comment on the issue when contacted but the party’s general secretary, Allan Cruickshank, is quoted in a local newspaper as saying that the London’s candidacy was being “re-evaluated”.
A source close to the NDP late last week said that the party would have issued a statement about London’s candidacy, but that statement has not been released.
London’s candidacy was being reassessed amidst report that she is ineligible to contest the polls because she allegedly has a criminal record.
According to the Electoral and Constitutional law in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines any person serving a term of imprisonment or a sentence substituted for a term of imprisonment of one year or more shall be barred from being a Representative or Senator.
The NDP’s silence on the issues comes even as the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) has been saying that the NDP’s inability to decide on a candidate to run against Gonsalves reflects its inability to govern the country.
“They’re not serious people. It’s the first time that I ever seeing in any election that in the week of nomination they don’t know who’s running against the leader of the other party. This thing is really – it’s a comedy show,” Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told party supporters at a campaign rally in Frenches on Monday night.
“…she is the David and I am the Goliath but the David aint even reach the battlefield yet,” he said of London, adding, “I never see a David like that. She aint got a slingshot”.
Gonsalves said he was informed that the NDP was considering another candidate in a bid to prevent him from seeking a third consecutive term in office.
Gonsalves said that the potential candidate does not have a clue about the constituency.
“If you want to say you put somebody up against me, it’s alright but at least the man must have an understanding of the geography of the constituency,” he added.
The NDP has earlier this year identified Cameron Buncombe as the candidate for North Central Windward but he resigned in September amidst protest against his candidacy by party supporters in the constituency. (CMC)