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The new Electoral Reform which is expected to result in a much improved, transparent and enhanced electoral system is coming in for high praise.  

The Team Unity Administration earlier this month introduced and had read for the first time The National Assembly Elections Amendment Act 2018.

That Act includes in its amendments section which seeks to replace the expression “ordinarily resident on the registration date” with the expression “ordinarily resident for at least six months before the registration date”.

Another change seeks to delete the expression “domicile” from section 37B from the Act. That section states “a citizen of St Christopher and Nevis of eighteen years or upwards whose name appears in the register of voters for a constituency and who is ordinarily resident overseas and has domicile in St Christopher and Nevis.”

Many took to Social Media to support and laud  the intended new residency requirement which will form a major part of the overal electoral reform which will see a complete renumeration process all of which will result in a fairer and more transparent and accountable electoral system.

The act will essentially strictly maintain the rights of all citizens of the country to vote. A fundamental right that will never be affected . The reformed system will require every citizens desrious of voting must register to vote in the consituency in which they have an  established residency for the the minimum 6 monts leading up to registration.

Ambassador Jonel Powell in an interview on WINN FM’s Voices programem said “…..the legislation does not take away the right to vote from anybody. It simply says if you want to register to vote in a particular constituency you must be living or resident in that constituency for six months prior to registration.”

The 6 Month residency requirement is the same for ALL SKN Nationals wishing to register to vote  whether living at home or abroad. Everyone who wishes to register MUST satisfy the 6 month residency requirement  in the constituency they wish to register.