St Vincent Opposition lawyers file injunction

Lawyers for the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in St Vincent and the Grenadines have filed an injunction preventing the three member Elections and Boundaries Commission from publishing a notice relating to the extension of the country’s electoral constituencies.



Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, said his government will proceed with plans to extend the electoral constituencies from 15 to 17 on the basis of the mandate given by Parliament earlier this year.



He said by a majority vote in Parliament on March 4, the constituencies in the multi island state were increased by two and a three member Elections and Boundaries Commission was appointed to investigate parameters for the extension and to make recommendations.



Speaking on a radio programme, Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace, said the report of the Elections and Boundaries Commission was signed by two of the three members while the opposition’s representative on the Commission refused to sign it and submitted a minority report.



General elections are constitutionally due in St Vincent and the Grenadines by March 2011 and political observers say the additional seats could decide the outcome of the polls.