(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) By Caribbean News Global

SOUFRIERE, St Lucia – Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, speaking at the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) public meeting in Soufriere on Wednesday evening, energised supporters with strong-willed moments and major announcements.

Comrades, (x2) he said:“ I love you.” -” SLP supporters replied:“I love you.“ -“We love you more!”

Prime Minister Pierre replied:

“Look at vibes in our meeting,” raising the tempo of an adoring SLP crowd.“Look at that,” to the pulsated music in the background.

The public meeting was another prep, (informal) campaigning to the presumptive general elections, and the SLP national meeting scheduled for Sunda y, at the Castries Market Steps – the premier political meeting place of the SLP.

The SLP considers the meeting an opportunity“ to give an account of Our Record of Delivery, a celebration of promises kept and progress delivered.”

What is more, on Sunday, the people of Saint Lucia anticipate Prime Minister Pierre to formally announce the general election to be held in December 2025. The current schedule, pace of political activities and history are opportune for a minimum of three weeks' notice for a general election, early December 2025.

The prime minister's call

Prime Minister Pierre, with discretion and the element of extemporaneity, may call a general election, at any time, not exceeding five years from one general election to the next. Should the prime minister, in his own deliberate judgment and advice, contemplate that the SLP has the best chance of winning a general election, he is required to advise the governor general to dissolve parliament.

Thereafter, the governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, will issue a proclamation in accordance with the Constitution of Saint Lucia. The writs of election timetable is announced and commences. The upcoming general elections will be the 11th since independence on February 22, 1979.

“ They cannot read me... I am a mystery,” the Prime Minister said earlier this month.

The political moment is high, and the environment is politically charged, with daily political meetings and events. The only known factor is that election is on a Monday, per Prime Minister Pierre, and St Jude hospital

To the enchantment of SLP supporters in Soufriere on Wednesday evening, and many listeners, Prime Minister Pierre announced:

“When things work out well, you see this Christmas, we are going to have one DAY that is going to be a VAT-free day,” [...].

“This initiative comes as part of the government's continued effort to ease the cost of living on families and tackle imported inflation. Another measure putting people first, because when Saint Lucians prosper, our nation moves forward together,” the SLP said on social media.

The Prime Minister followed up with a prior promise that pensioners will receive XCD 600, and civil servants' bonus payments will be paid in December 2025.

“ When things work out well,” – the prime minister continued:

“ Government will pay five CXC subjects for Saint Lucian students,” and“we will double the allotment to the youth economy.”

Primarily, these are an extension of“ people-centred strategy to build a stronger and competitive St Lucia.”

Ahead of the meeting in Soufriere, the SLP commented on social media that:

“The work is visible. You can feel the difference in Soufrière.” Residents also shared,“real stories, real progress, real results in what Putting People First looks like.” –“ Labour's leadership has transformed their community, from better infrastructure to new opportunities for families and youth.”

Adding to the equation on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Pierre promised the people of Soufriere an administrative center, a new hospital and an elderly facility.

Prime Minister Pierre is scheduled to feature a Town Hall in New York on November 7. The opposition leader and his entourage are likewise scheduled to host Diaspora Townhalls in Toronto, November 7; New York, November 8; and Houston, November 9, 2025.

General elections must be held every five years. Saint Lucia has 17 electoral constituencies for general elections. All Saint Lucian citizens who have reached the age of 18 are entitled to vote. The Saint Lucia Electoral Commission is responsible for running the island's elections.

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The executive summary and the contents of the Commonwealth Observer Group 26 July 2021 General Elections present in Saint Lucia from 22 to 30 July 2021 make for an interesting read.

The Commonwealth recommendations and summary, in reads in part:

Electoral framework and election administration

• There is a need for a review of voter registration so that it reflects more accurately the size of the total population in Saint Lucia.
• A new Constituency delimitation exercise should be conducted as soon as possible to ensure a more even distribution of voters.

Election campaign and the media

Election campaign

• Campaign financing legislation should be introduced to strengthen accountability and transparency.

Media

• An independent and adequately financed media regulatory body should be established.
• A code of conduct for the media should be put in place to improve professionalism and the media's ability to report fairly and responsibly.
• A functional public service broadcaster with the statutory duty to provide equal airtime to all political parties and independent candidates during elections should be established.

Recommendations:

• An exercise to remove the ineligible names from the voters' register needs to be undertaken urgently.
• Provisions are to be made for the list to be publicly disaggregated by gender and age.
• The boundaries of constituencies need to be revised urgently to ensure more equality in the number of electors in each.
• More consistent application of the rules by presiding officers in relation to cellular phones and ensuring the privacy of electors being assisted to vote.
• Increased training of presiding officers to ensure electors are not unnecessarily disenfranchised when their intention is clear and there is not evidence that the ballot can be traced back to the elector.
• A copy of the signed statement of poll in each polling station should be given to the agent of each candidate, and a copy placed on the outside of the polling station for public viewing.

@GlobalCaribbean

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