St Kitts election on June 5

BASSETERRE – Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris named June 5 as the date for fresh general elections in St Kitts-Nevis.

In a radio and television broadcast on Monday, Harris said Nomination Day would be on May 27.

“Election is important and will bring certainty to our Federation, enhance confidence in our country and preserve our democracy,” said Harris, who is expected to lead his coalition Team Unity into the election.

The coalition will face a challenge from the main opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) headed by former prime minister Dr Denzil Douglas.

In the last general election, Team Unity, an amalgam of three political parties, won seven of the 11 seats.

However, this one will be conducted in a different environment, heavily impacted by COVID-19.

The nightly curfew and weekend lockdown will remain in place and some traditional means of communicating will have to be modified. There will also be virtual public meeting and Harris said the Supervisor of Elections would speak on the safety measures.

The Prime Minister touted his government’s handling of COVID-19, noting that of the 15 cases, 14 had recovered, no one was hospitalised and there were no deaths.

In an address later on Monday, Douglas said his party was ready.

“The St Kitts-Nevis Labour party is prepared. It is enthusiastic and it is fully mobilised to contest the election within the rule of the law and in a manner that is free, fair and free from fear to all participating parties,” he said.

Douglas said over the past five years, the country has been going backwards under the leadership of Harris and his party would usher in a brighter future for its citizens. (CMC)