Last Updated on April 23, 2020, 8:04 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Political leader of the opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas has accused the present Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris of introducing the six-month State of Emergency in the country to have an unfair advantage in the upcoming general elections constitutionally due by August 14.
During his radio call-in programme on Kyss 102.5 FM which he does weekly, Dr Douglas, on Tuesday night reiterated support for the medical authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus but said it was unfair on the part of the Government to use unchallengeable emergency powers for keeping the opposition candidates locked down like the rest of the residents while the coalition candidates would campaign freely.
It is to be noted that general elections were held on February 16, 2015, and the first sitting of St Kitts and Nevis National Assembly was on May 14, 2015.
The law-making body will automatically dissolve on May 14, 2020, if the Prime Minister himself does not do it before that date.
Dr Douglas told listeners to his weekly radio programme “Ask the Leader” on Tuesday that Dr Harris’ action “is sinister and deceptive” since the constitution allows for shorter periods for a state of emergency.
“This was fully disguised as an attempt to give himself unchallengeable emergency powers over the electoral system,” said Dr Douglas, who pointed out that government ministers and the three-party coalition candidates were able to move freely around during curfews and conduct election campaigns, thus providing a political advantage.
Former prime minister Douglas is of the view that Dr Harris is using the management of the COVID-19 pandemic to manipulate the electoral system and pointed out that the numerous 24-hour lockdowns and the regulations which only give essential services workers permission to operate have denied citizens and residents the right to register to vote and the Electoral Office to conduct objection hearings while adhering with the laws of St Kitts and Nevis.
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.
