In a preliminary statement, the Caricom Electoral Observer Mission (CEOM) says the Nevis Island Assembly Elections held on Tuesday were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and in a civil manner that demonstrated respect for the electoral process.
The CEOM had been invited by the Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to observe the Nevis Island elections, a press release from the Caricom Secretariat said. “The Mission was tasked with the responsibility, among other things, of observing the electoral machinery specifically with respect to the conduct of the vote to the Nevis Island Assembly,” the statement said.
Prior to deployment, the Mission held discussions with the electoral management body aimed at achieving greater understanding of the state of readiness of the machinery and any issues that were likely to impact the election. Meetings were sought with several other stakeholders with the said intent; however, due to the short time span between the arrival of the Mission and its deployment, these meetings did not materialise.
The CEOM deployed its members to the five constituencies where the conduct of the poll was observed in all locations. The Mission took note of and generally observed the following as preliminary findings: that the poll was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere without any incidence of intimidation observed or being reported. “The citizens of Nevis exercised their democratic right in a civil and responsible manner demonstrating respect for the electoral process,” it said.
Further, in most instances the polling stations opened on time and it was observed that all polling officials were present. The police also provided adequate security at all polling stations. Polling stations appeared to be suitable in terms of location and capacity to accommodate elections, and seemed to have been adequately furnished with the necessary material and the staff fairly knowledgeable about polling procedures. Most of the presiding officers and other electoral officials appeared confident and composed, and despite inconsistencies in the application of procedures, generally operated within the framework of the law.
Supplementary Lists were distributed on the morning of the election. The lists were produced resulting from an affidavit filed on January 21, 2013 and the subsequent order of the High Court. The CEOM observed that in several instances, the list arrived within the first four hours after the opening of the stations.
The Mission is aware that there are several areas in the administration of the electoral process which requires urgent attention, details of which will be provided in its final report to be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. The CEOM makes reference to the report of the previous CEOM submitted following the July 2011 elections, noting that several of the recommendations contained therein bears currency to this election and perhaps merit consideration.
The Mission also noted improvement in the general logistic arrangements, especially as it related to areas such as the relocation of the polling stations previously situated at Ivor Walters School in the constituency of St. Johns (Nevis 2). The stations were relocated to the Special Education School. The CEOM also noted that in the said constituency an additional polling station was established at Cox.
Finally, the Mission extended congratulations to the people of Nevis on their commitment to the principles and traditions of democracy demonstrated by the voter turnout and the discipline, goodwill and general camaraderie displayed at the polling stations.
