by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): On Sunday (November 28), the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) will appoint a new leader. Delegates of the 90-year old party will vote for a new National Political Leader to replace The Right Hon Dr. Denzil L Douglas, who has led the SKNLP for the past 32 years.
The three vying for the title of Party leader are outgoing SKNLP Chairman, Dr. Terrance Drew, Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 1, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, and Former Representative for St. Christopher 3, Konris Maynard,
While Dr. Douglas will be relieved from his post within the party on Sunday, he says that he has no intention of becoming a passive party member.
“I do not intend to go away. I intend to remain and live here in St. Kitts and Nevis. I intend to remain engaged as much as I can not only with the leadership of the party but with the rank and file to ensure that if there is any fallout from this exercise that is being conducted, that will end hopefully on Sunday, that we will be able as mature men and women who have the interest of our party at heart. Men and women who are aware of the atrocities that are being committed against our people at this time. The immense suffering, the difficulties that our people are experiencing at this time that is enough to drive us together to ensure that the regime that is in place today is removed,” said Dr. Douglas during a press conference on November 25.
“So there is no question in our minds that we have to unite very quickly, collaborate very quickly, let the scars and the aches and the pains of this race go behind us as we move forward to represent our people in parliament, in government and return this country to its former glory. That is what is important at this time.”
In addressing questions about the party appearing divided since the start of this race, the three candidates indicated that that appearance was false and expressed that they are ready and willing to support no matter the outcome of the election.
Apart from the National Political Leader, the delegates will vote for two Deputy Political Leaders; one Chairperson, three Vice-chairpersons, one Assistant Secretary, and three floor members.
Sharon Rattan, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, shared how the delegates list for this election was created.
“Each branch selects 50 delegates as per the constitution to participate in the private session. So eight constituencies, 50 delegates. In addition to that, there are the National Executive delegates, the Young Labour Delegates, the Labour Women delegates and the Union delegates. All of those individuals would make up the voters list; that is how it was created,” explained Rattan.
The voting process will be a private session on Sunday, November 28, 2021, from 10 a.m. at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
