PDM – front (l-r): Gregory Willock, Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, Paul Lewis, Delmaude Ryan Middle (l-r): Emile Duberry, Hon. Donaldson Romeo, David Osborne, Back (l-r): David Duberry, Claude Hogan
It’s now official! The Electoral Commission has confirmed 31 candidates have been nominated to contest the 2014 Montserrat general elections. The atmosphere at Brades Arts and Education Centre was charged with hope, and anticipation as candidates and their supporters cemented intentions for the September 11, elections.
The Electoral Office opened nominations at 10 a.m. and closed at 4 p.m., but 30 candidates had registered by 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the Returning Officer, Mrs. Claudette Weekes confirmed that all of the candidates (the nine candidates each for both the Movement and Prosperity (MCAP) and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) plus 13 independents) who earlier announced their intention to contest the September 11th poll had been nominated.
MCAP R T Meade, with Victor James
MCAP (L-R) Dr Joseph, Easton Farrell, and Germaine Wade
Tuitt and MCAP Charles Kirnon
Dr. L Lewis
Crenston Buffonge
Geraldine Cabey (rt) with nominators
One surprise nomination was Mary Tuitt making it a record for the number of persons contesting under the new nine X system. She is the 13th independent candidate. Tuitt in the last minute is a retired police officer. She pledged to build on existing plans and programmes once they are beneficial to the society.
Speaking on ZJB’s 6 o’clock news political leader of the PDM Donaldson Romeo said he was very pleased with the nomination process, while Claude Gerald of the Alliance Grouping of three independent candidates also lauded the conduct of the nomination process. Political leader of MCAP Reuben T. Meade said he was heartened by the conduct of the nomination process. Mr. Meade also took the opportunity to state that he feels MCAP will be afforded the opportunity to finish the good work that it has started on election day.
Hylroy Bramble
Claude Gerald
However, although these candidates have been officially nominated, the Elections Act makes provisions for any candidate who has been nominated to withdraw his candidature not less than three clear days before the day fixed for taking the poll, by giving notice to the effect, signed by him, to the returning officer.
At the end of the day, the electoral office would have collected a total of $15,500.00 being $500.00 from each candidate as deposits pursuant to section 22(2) which represents an increase from the previous $200.
The Elections Act further provides that the deposit shall only be returned if the candidate was not elected and the number of votes polled by him does not exceed one-eight of the total number of votes polled.
