By Staff Writer
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) — The private criminal charges that were filed by Dr. Terrence Drew of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) against the Hon. Eugene Hamilton of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), had its first hearing today (February 01, 2021) in court at the Sir Lee Moore L. Judicial and Legal Complex.
According to a press release issued on the SKNLP’s Facebook page, they claim that the June 05, 2020, General Elections “were conducted in a manner that was neither free, fair, nor free from fear and represented a gross miscarriage of justice and democracy.”
The SKNLP press release further stated that the two criminal charges laid have been based on substantive evidence “that on a date between May 28, 2020, and June 5, 2020, in Electoral District 8 in St. Kitts and before the General Election of June 5, 2020, Eugene Hamilton, corruptly and/or with the assistance of others, gave or provided food, drink, and provisions styled as “COVID Care Packages” labeled with the insignia of the People’s Action Movement and with the words “Vote for Eugene Hamilton” to persons for the purpose of corruptly influencing those persons to vote for him to procure his return as an elected member of the National Assembly in the June 5th General Election”.
“That on a date between May 29, 2020, and June 5, 2020, at John England Village in the Parish of St. Peter’s on St. Kitts, Eugene Hamilton unlawfully gave or procured the giving of a gift towards the construction of a house or part of a house to a resident of John England in order to influence the individual to vote for him to procure his return to the National Assembly in June 5th General Election,” the press release said.
These actions, as alleged, run contrary to Section 109 (a) and Section (I) (c), respectively, of the National Assembly Elections Act. CAP 2.01 of the Revised Edition of the Laws of the Federation.
“Every person who is found guilty of bribery, treating or undue influence, under the
provisions of this Act shall, on summary conviction thereof, be liable to imprisonment for
twelve months or a fine of one thousand dollars.” “Every person who is convicted of bribery, treating, undue influence, or personation, or of aiding, counselling or procuring the commission of the offence of personation shall (in addition to any other punishment) be incapable during a period of seven years from the date of conviction
(a) of being registered as a voter, or of voting at any election;
(b) of being elected a member of the National Assembly or, if elected
before his or her conviction, of retaining his or her seat as such
member.”
WINN made attempts to contact PAM candidate Eugene Hamilton for comment but was unsuccessful as at news time Monday, February 01, 2021.
The SKNLP lost to Team Unity only securing two of the eight seats on St. Kitts in the June 05 General Elections.
