PAM Elects new executive: Young Lawyer Jonel Powell among new faces on leadership team

Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 4th 2012) The St. Kitts-Nevis main opposition party the People’s Action Movement held it’s 47th Delegates Convention (CAUCUS) ON Sunday March 4that the Party Headquarters. The main agenda item of the perennial activity was the election of officers to lead the 47 year old party over the next year.

Scores of delegates from all 8 constituencies voted in what was a very spirited election. The coveted position of Chairperson was an extremely tight race in which Mr Sewlyn “Rusty” Liburd was elected.

The post of Deputy Chairperson for the first time in party history will be shared between Lawyer Jonel Powell and Dr Charles Warner after both equally split the votes and the membership decided to have both serve as Deputy Chairpersons .Mr. Valentine Lindsay and Ms. Rhyllis Percival were returned unopposed as Treasurer and Assistant General Secretary respectively. The officer elected to spearhead the party’s public relations team was Mr. Antonio Nias.

Other positions that were up for election were the two spots for Deputy Political Leader, and the delegates demonstrated their confidence in MP’s, Hon. Eugene Hamilton and Hon. Shawn Richards, whom they returned unanimously.

The post of National Political Leader was not up for election this year, given that the incumbent, Mr. Lindsay Grant was elected for a 3 year term in2010, which means that his term is not due to expire until 2013.

The official election results and new executive are:

• Deputy Political Leaders remaining the Hon. Shawn Richards and the Hon. Eugene Hamilton,

• Chairman Selwyn Liburd,

• Deputy Chairpersons Jonel Powel and Dr. Charles Warner,

• Treasurer Mr. Valentine Lindsay,

• Assistant General Secretary Mrs. Rhyllis Percival – Williams

• Public Relations Officer Antonio Nias

The new executive will assume office after the Annual National Convention to be held on Sunday March 18th .

Reports were presented to the Caucus by representatives of various arms of the party, including the National Women’s Group, the Treasurer, the eight constituency groups and the Young Pamites.

A number of far-reaching recommendations were also tabled by delegates for the consideration and implementation of the National Executive.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Liburd expressed appreciation to the delegates for placing their confidence in him and praised the sacrifice of the last Executive,.

The Caucus was held under the theme, “Motivating our People into Action for a Stronger Movement”.

The party will now concentrate on plans for the staging of the 47thannual convention which is expected to feature former Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness.