St. Kitts-Nevis population to head to the polls following the official dissolution of parliament

By: Chaïra Flanders

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 13, 2020 (ZIZ News): Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are gearing up to head to the polls to vote in this year’s general election following the official dissolution of parliament on Tuesday.

This announcement was made by Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Hon Timothy Harris as he delivered a national address on Wednesday night.

“It is now almost some five years since that first sitting and I have yesterday advised His Excellency the Governor General, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, to dissolve the National Assembly as from Tuesday 12th May 2020 and he has graciously consented”, he said.

The Honorable Prime Minister encouraged the people of the federation to keep the peace and work together as the nation prepares for yet another general election.

“I invite each and every one of you to consider these Elections seriously, soberly, and with maturity. Keep the peace, and stay out of trouble. When it is over, let us overcome and rise above our partisan differences and combine our energies to the task of building our beloved nation for the benefit of every man, woman and child.

The Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis states that the five-year term of a government begins on the first day that the parliament meets after a general election.

In this case, The Team Unity Coalition won the previous election on February 16 2015 and the first sitting of the parliament was held on May 14, 2015.

Although the Prime Minister did not provide a specific date for the proposed election, the constitution states, “A general election of members of the National Assembly shall be held at such time within ninety days after any dissolution of Parliament as the Governor-General may appoint.”

This means that mid-August is the constitutional deadline. However, the date of the next general election can be announced earlier by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, at a time and date of his choosing, as stipulated by law.