Last Updated on June 8, 2020, 2:51 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Political Leader of the opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), Rt Hon Dr Denzil Douglas said on Monday that he cannot in good conscience concede the June 5, 2020 general elections as “being free, fair and free from fear.”
“I am deeply disturbed that the hope, prosperity and opportunity that lay in wait under a NextGen SKN Labour Party has been hijacked in large measure by the many irregularities and anomalies that took place in our electoral and voting processes in the years, months, weeks and days leading to the general election. It is for these reasons that I cannot in good conscience concede the election as being free, fair and free from fear,” said Dr Douglas in his midday address to the nation.
He told the nation that along with the prejudicial environment that sought to give the competitors an unfair advantage, the Unity administration committed many irregularities which limited the rights of citizens in the voting process.
“There have been serious, significant irregularities in the process which we believe have affected the results. We are collating the reports from the various polling agents of the Party and will report back in short order. In the meantime keep your chins up, your heads high and rally with your NextGen SKN team,” Dr Douglas, whose SKNLP won two of the eight seats it contested on St Kitts.
He said that the will of the people is the only source of authority of government and no right-thinking person can objectively declare that Election 2020 was run based on the standards, principles and ethics of good governance.
“For these reasons, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party cannot accept the election results. We are in the process of examining and compiling evidence with a view to taking serious action on these matters in the future. I, therefore, reserve my congratulations until these matters have been duly resolved,” said Dr Douglas.
“I wish to say to my beloved people of our Federation that the next five years will not be easy as St. Kitts and Nevis, one of the smallest countries in the world by population, struggles to find its new footing in the present post-COVID-19 global environment. However, I remain confident that the invincible spirit, intelligence, resourcefulness and resilience of our people will take us through even this, our darkest hour, to brighter days,” said Douglas, a former prime minister.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
