St Kitts & Nevis | No votes for citizens overseas as borders remain closed

BASSETERRE (CMC):

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minster Dr Timothy Harris has said that the borders of the twin-island federation will remain closed, effectively dashing the hopes of overseas nationals who would have wanted to travel to cast their ballots on June 5 as had been the case in past general elections.

In a radio and television broadcast, Harris said that the general election will be held as the country continues with its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

He said that the new regulations would remain in force until June 13 and that the nightly curfew remains in place and must be adhered to.

‘Committed to Safety’

Harris told the nation that his Team Unity administration, which will face challenge from the main opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) for control of the 11 seats in the National Assembly, “is committed to keeping our people safe”, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced candidates to find new ways to campaign.

But Harris insisted that the strict guidelines that his government initiated some weeks ago have so far proven to be effective, and they have allowed the country to flatten the curve with respect to the virus that has killed more than 350,000 people and infected more than five million others worldwide.

The SKNLP has called for a repeal of the state of emergency saying that it seriously hampers the ability to campaign in the days leading up the general election.