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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
OAS/EOM in St. Kitts and Nevis Calls on All Actors to Respect the Official Results Announced by Electoral Authorities
By OAS
Feb 17, 2015 - 5:09:40 PM
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The
Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States
(OAS/EOM) in St. Kitts and Nevis, led by Ambassador Frank Almaguer,
would like to congratulate the citizens of the country for their active
participation in yesterday's General Election, reflected in a high voter
turnout, and the civil and peaceful exercise of their franchise on
Election Day.
The Mission observed that the counting and transmission of results
was extremely slow, stemming from a series of procedural difficulties.
More than 12 hours after the closing of the polls, there was no
information on the outcome of the election, leading to speculation and
uncertainty among Kittitians and Nevisians. The Mission noted that the
delay in the dissemination of results was related to two main issues.
First, counting started late due to instructions given to returning
officers with regard to the transportation of the ballot boxes of the
early voting, carried out on February 14 for essential services
personnel and security forces. Second, challenges were presented during
the counting process and some of the results were being contested.
Despite the problems encountered after the closing of the polls,
the OAS/EOM was pleased to observe that in general, Election Day was
carried out in an orderly and pacific manner. On Election Day, observers
visited 85% of polling stations in all 11 constituencies of St Kitts
and Nevis. They were present from the opening of the polls to the
counting and dissemination of the results. OAS observers reported that
most of the polling stations opened on time, were adequately staffed and
fully equipped with all of the materials required for the election. The
Observation Mission congratulates presiding officers, returning
officers and poll clerks for their extraordinary commitment in the
exercise of their duties. In general, presiding officers were extremely
professional and diligent at giving instructions to voters regarding the
procedures to be followed. Citizens waited patiently, sometimes in long
lines, to exercise their right to vote.
The Mission congratulates Prime Minister-elect Timothy Harris and
the St. Kitts and Nevis Team Unity for the victory in yesterday’s
General Election and calls on all actors to respect the official results
announced by the electoral authorities.
The OAS/EOM considers that, at this point, priority should be
given to a calm and orderly transition. Nonetheless, a number of
technical and procedural issues observed during this electoral process
should be addressed during a post electoral period. In this sense, and
in the spirit of helping the electoral authorities and citizens of St.
Kitts and Nevis strengthen their democratic process, the Observation
Mission will be issuing a more detailed report with its observations and
recommendations.
The OAS/EOM wishes to thank the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
for the invitation to observe this process. In addition, the Mission
would like to thank the governments of Argentina, Bolivia, France, the
United Kingdom and the United States for their contributions that made
this mission possible.
For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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