“I will contest the upcoming general elections from constituency number 6,” says Dr Douglas

Eastern Caribbean Appeal Court in St Lucia gave a ruling today to uphold the appeal made several months ago related to the possession of diplomatic passport seeking leader of opposition Dr Denzil Douglas to vacate constituency number 6 as a parliamentarian.

During a press briefing, Dr Douglas said “We are very surprised, and we disagree with the judgment and to the questions asked and answers given by my team, however, we accept the judgment. Which ends the legal process and we now start in the political process of this judgment.”

Douglas also asserted that there would be no appeal in the higher court as he already vacated his seat of constituency number 6. “There is no appeal for the higher court; I no longer will serve the people of constituency 6 for this term, which is already ended. In result, I will not be sitting in the parliament for the next 2-3 days or weeks.

Related to his participation in the upcoming general elections, leader of opposition said that he would contest the next general elections from the constituency number 6 whenever the elections are called.

“The judgment does not preclude me in any way from seeking the election by the people of constituency number 6.”

Addressing another point, Dr Douglas emphasized on people not to get fooled by the current government. “Let us not be fooled, as current government will attempt to try to use this judgment to further delay the elections by giving you an impression of calling by-election first,” he added.

It is evident in the election history that whenever the elections are on the peak, the by-election is not an alternative for that. Most of the times, by-elections do not take place if the general elections are due any near in upcoming weeks or months.

Further, Dr Denzil L Douglas clarified that even before the first trial diplomatic passport was not in his possession as it was already returned to the government and people of Commonwealth of Dominica. “I do not hold the passport now, did not even hold it when the trial was on.”

In clear reply to a question related to his position asked in the press conference, Dr Douglas said: “I will remain the leader of St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party.”

“Although, I must emphasis, I do not intend to hold on to Prime Minister’s position until I die, succession planning will be in place and soon be executed, so we move on to the next level.