SVG opposition to boycott parliament

The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) which says it will boycott parliament in protest at the “flawed” results of the December 9 general elections, is questioning the role of the various regional and international groups that observed the polls.

“CARICOM will say, it is free and fair, the OAS can say it was free and fair. We in the New Democratic Party say it was not free and it was not fair. And at least I have been in contact already with three OECS prime ministers on the matter of this election,” NDP leader Arnhim Eustace told an NDP meeting on the weekend.

Eustace told party supporters that the election observers come to here “too late to make any meaningful decision” and that he had communication that concern to the Commonwealth observers.

The Organization of American States (OAS), along with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth had sent teams to observe the poll that was won by the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

The ULP won by a margin of 8-7 mirroring the 2010 results. But the NDP insists that there were too many irregularities in last Wednesday’s polls and is refusing to accept the results.