St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas laying on the Table, the White Paper on Electoral Reform during Monday's sitting of the National Assembly. Photo by Erasmus Williams

“Through proper consultation with all social groups, political parties, and the general public, the Government will ensure that these reforms guarantee that future elections in St Kitts and Nevis continue to be free and fair. Furthermore, and in keeping with our democratic and Constitutional rights, these reforms will not disenfranchise any voter as the reforms seek to introduce a modern and efficient electoral system,” said the White Paper submitted to the lawmaking body by Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas.

Government said that it has reviewed the report of the ‘Commonwealth Expert Team’ on the general elections of 2004, the Report of the ‘CARICOM Observers’ of the general elections of 2004, and the Report of the ‘Commonwealth Assessment Mission’ of 2005, and based on the commitment given in the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party 2000 Election manifesto, it will pursue the proposed reforms, leading to the modernisation of the electoral process; introduce a National Registration System, leading to the issuance of a “Smart Card” that will among other things assist citizens in accessing their rights and discharging their responsibilities including voting and introduce a proper ID system for registration.

The electoral boundaries will also be reviewed to reflect as near as possible equality in the number of inhabitants in each constituency.

According to the White Paper several committees have been established. A comprehensive national consultation leading to the implementation of a new electoral framework has been set up.

The Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (ERCC) will over a period of six weeks, conduct national consultations with all stakeholders about the proposed new electoral framework. The Committee will report directly to the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee (NAERBC) within four weeks after the consultations are completed.

A National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee (NAERBC) will make suggestions within four weeks of receiving the report from the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee on issues coming out of the national consultations, and present recommendations to the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, which is a National Assembly Sub-Committee.

After considering the report from the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee and any other report, which it may consider, the PCERBC will advise the Attorney General on the matters that are to be the subject of legislative action by Parliament.

The Boundaries Technical Committee (BTC) will make recommendations to the Constituency Boundaries Commission in relation to new electoral boundaries.

These recommendations will be sent through the NAERBC so that its membership will have the opportunity to offer their comments within the spirit of the advice given in the Report of the Commonwealth Assessment Mission.

The Constituency Boundaries Commission (CBC) having received recommendations from the Boundaries Technical Committee via the NAERBC shall submit to the Governor General its Report in accordance with its Constitutional obligations.

Electoral Commission (EC), which has constitutional responsibilities, may make any necessary recommendation to the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, and or may also send its recommendations to Parliament.

Parliament will legislate recommended subject matters received from the Parliamentary Constitutional & Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee and the Constituency Boundaries Commission.