By Caribbean News Global contributor
BASSETERRE, St Kitts – While pleased that parliament has been finally prorogued, former prime minister, Dr Denzil Douglas observed that there was a 24-hour delay between the ending of the term of the present House of Assembly and the announcement by prime minister Dr Timothy Harris.
According to Dr Douglas, “This sneaky and reckless behavior raises the question in the psyche of the nation, ‘What else is Harris hiding?’ ”
Dr Douglas expressed his concern that no date has been set for the election which is constitutionally due by August 11, 2020. He pointed out that setting a date now is vital since this coming election which will be held during the COVID-19 pandemic will require much more planning than usual.
The former prime minister, who has participated in major national elections since 1989, made it clear “To delay the setting of a date for the election is to put lives at risk and to erect barriers to the exercise of the democratic rights of the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis.”
Dr Douglas lamented that the last five years have not been easy for the people of St Kitts and Nevis. He singled out rampant corruption, nepotism and victimization as key contributors to the economic and human issues which beset the country.
The NextGen SKN Team leader said “The Dr Harris-led administration has had one focus and one focus only — which is to abuse the power afforded to them by the state to ostensibly ‘enrich themselves and their families’; strip away at our systems of transparency and accountability; and secure for themselves an unfair political advantage by suppressing opposition voices. Scandal after international scandal has diminished the esteemed office of the prime minister and tainted the image of St Kitts and Nevis regionally and internationally.
“Our people must come first over politics. Therefore, the sooner the general elections are held, the better for our people, saving lives, and ensuring prosperity. The time has come to put an end to the suffering of our people,” Dr Douglas advised.
National address on the occasion of the dissolution of parliament.
