KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Nov 14, CMC – The Supervisor of Elections, Dora James, says 32 candidates, including one independent, will contest the November 27 general elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The elections are seen as a straight contest between the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who is seeking an unprecedented six consecutive term in office and the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) headed by Opposition Leader, Dr. Godwin Friday.
In a statement sent to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Charles, a former diplomat, said her nomination holds much significance for the NLM, which was established in 2022. “Since then, we have been advocating for national political changes through our program of activities entitled Belldnation,” she said, adding that it was broadcast through Bayhill News Network.
Speaking on the state-owned NBC Radio, James said that the sole independent candidate, Kenna Questelles, will contest the West St. George constituency. She is a former executive member of the Women’s Arm of the NDP.
Their candidacy brings to nine the number of women contesting the polls, with Questelles posting on her Facebook page that if elected, she would launch a digital youth service agency to train and employ 150 youth to provide digital marketing services, website design and IT support services to businesses.
The ULP has challenged the nomination of Friday as the NDP’s candidate for the Northern Grenadines and Fitz Bramble as its East Kingstown candidate on the basis that both politicians acquired Canadian citizenship as adults and are therefore, by their own act, under allegiance to a foreign power, contrary to the Constitution. The returning officer in each constituency allowed the nominations, but Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves later promised legal challenges to their candidacy.
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