Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 29, 2020 — As the June 5, 2020 general elections approach, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has revoked an earlier invitation to the Organisation of American States to send an election observer mission to St. Kitts and Nevis.
In a letter to the Political Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, dated May 28, OAS Secretary-General His Excellency Luis Almagro confirmed that the organisation had accepted Dr. Harris’ invitation of May 19, but the invitation was revoked on May 27.
Harris’ disinvitation was done under the pretext of COVID-19 quarantine protocols, but Secretary General Almagro said in his letter that “OAS/GS regrets that a practical solution was not put in place like was the case in Suriname to allow our observers to deploy, but is respectful of the sovereign decision.”
“I am very very concerned that something sinister is being planned. The electorate, citizens and residents, civil society, CARICOM and friendly countries of the Federation must be informed of this latest development in the saga of the outgoing Harris administration’s attempts to hold on to power in the face of a sure defeat at the polls on June 5,” said Dr. Douglas. “This is further vindication of our court action to bring an end to the unconstitutional state of emergency,” he added.