By: Spokesman Newsroom
A member of the three-man St. Kitts and Nevis Electoral Commission has confirmed that the List of Returning Officers prepared by Supervisor of Elections Elvin Bailey was thrown into the proverbial waste paper basket by the government of Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris.
When the new list was made public, among the new names were PM Harris’ brother-in-law Jermaine Sacy Lake in St. Christopher 1; Dr. Harris’ former campaign manager Dr. Patrick Welcome in St. Christopher 7 (Harris’ own constituency); and Dr. Vincent Hodge, Permanent Secretary to Deputy PM Shawn Richards, the incumbent for St. Christopher 5.
Commission member attorney Jason Hamilton, representing the opposition, told WINN News that activities in preparation for the 2020 poll were interfered with by the government, eroding the work of the constitutional body. He identified the selection of Returning Officers, late publication of the Election Day Voters List, and late publication of polling stations as areas of concern.
“As of today, Wednesday 3 June, the Voters’ List has not been produced yet that indicates where polling stations for this election will be held, and that is because there has been some level of interference by the Government halting the supervisor of elections in the preparation of the necessary work,” Hamilton told WINNFM.