Constituency Boundaries: flawed democracy of St Kitts and Nevis

he flawed democracy of boundaries that worried the people of St Kitts and Nevis in the wake of General Election of the country. The issue is concerned with the boundaries of SKN constituencies for which amendments were proposed in the Parliament during early 2015.

Friday, 7th February 2020

The flawed democracy of boundaries that worried the people of St Kitts and Nevis in the wake of General Election of the country. The issue is concerned with the boundaries of SKN constituencies for which amendments were proposed in the Parliament during early 2015.

Later, those amendments were stayed out by Privy Council ruling. Still, it also ordered that the boundaries amendment will come into force in next General Election or dissolution of National Assembly.

Now, the politics in SKN is on high notes as former Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition Dr Denzil Douglas - who proposed amendments in 2015 - is accusing current Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris of setting up a commission to make fresh amendments to the boundaries act of St Kitts and Nevis to favour his victory in the elections.

The opposition leader is also seeking the help of the non-governmental organisation to speak out for this issue as they spoke during the Labour regime in 2015 related to changes in boundaries.

"In November 2019, Prime Minister Harris appointed a new chairman to head the Electoral Boundaries Commission and the commission's first meeting held in December 2019. He (PM Harris) is pressing the commission to change the 2015 boundaries which were not used in previous elections following the ruling of Privy Council," said Dr Douglas on a radio programme.

"The question of 'gerrymandering' the boundaries becomes very real," said Dr Douglas.

However, yet there has been no confirmation by the office of Prime Minister or Commission itself to bring changes in the boundaries act amid 2020 General Election.

It is significant to mention that the fifth anniversary of General Election is coming up on the 16th of February. Yet, the current government does not seem to be in any mood to announce the elections.

Removal of diaspora from the voting list

Along with boundaries, removal of diaspora from the voting list is another issue causing tension in the region.

On the radio show, Dr Douglas boasted Labour's success in preventing Prime Minister from removing diaspora from voting and asked the Kittians and Nevisians living abroad to be vigilant.

"I call on you to be vigilant. Defend your democracy and do not allow the government to deprive you of your right to vote which you and my ancestors won shedding blood in 1935," said Dr Douglas.