News, Top Story

160,000 TO VOTE

Parties End Campaigns With Big Rallies Today

Labour supporters [PHOTO BY Photo Mike]
Labour supporters [PHOTO BY Photo Mike]
OVER 160,000 Saint Lucians are registered to vote in Monday’s general election said to be the tightest ever political race in the country in recent times.

The exact figure quoted to The VOICE by a reliable source puts the figure at 160,425.

Political campaigning for Monday’s general election has now come down to the wire with the final public meetings planned later today by both the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the United Workers Party (UWP). The ruling SLP will be at Desruisseaux, Micoud and the UWP will amass in Cul-de-Sac, Castries.

One pollster has pronounced the contest a dead heat while another has given a convincing win to the SLP.

The poll which was published by Caribbean Development and Research Services Inc. (CADRES) of Barbados noted that among the 1000 persons interviewed between the 20 and 23 of last month the SLP had a one percent lead over the UWP in committed voters, 34 percent to 33 percent with 30 percent of “uncertain voters.”

The poll further states that while the election was “too close to call” with the SLP having a “momentary advantage” the UWP appeared to have momentum on their side.

The SLP has since disputed the findings of the CADRES poll stating that its own poll conducted last month by regional pollster, Don Anderson puts them comfortably ahead in 10 of the 11 seats in which they are leading and that the UWP is comfortably ahead in three of the four seats in which they are leading, with two seats that are too close to call.

The SLP claimed that the Anderson poll indicated that “the best scenario for the SLP is 13 – 4 and the worst case scenario is 11 – 6”. The party further states that the Anderson poll puts it well on the way to victory on Monday.

Another interesting aspect of the CADRES poll was its conclusion that UWP leader Allen Chastanet and SLP leader and Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony were equally preferred with only a three percent gap separating them. But it said Chastanet had doubled his support among “Uncertain Voters” while Dr. Anthony had slipped.

Meanwhile the camps of both the SLP and UWP yesterday confirmed that tomorrow will be a day for their candidates to be in their respective constituencies campaigning and doing the final preparations for Monday. No major rallies are planned.

The Labour Party will be in Desruisseaux today to launch its candidate for the area, Guibion Ferdinand. It will be making a final push to sway voters toward its candidate who is going up against Chastanet.

Flambeau supporters [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]
Flambeau supporters [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]
Both men are vying for that seat for the very first time. Chastanet became the UWP’s candidate when Arsene James, the holder of that seat in parliament for two terms, relinquished it last year. It was only last month that he made the ceremonial move of passing the torch to Chastanet.

Meanwhile in the Cul-de-Sac area the UWP will be pitching for two of its candidates namely Mary Isaac and Guy Joseph. The constituencies they represent are shoulder to shoulder geographically, namely Castries South and Castries South East.

The campaigning, as short as it has been, has generated much controversy from the secular to the religious and even now is still clogged in dispute.

The Private Sector Council of Saint Lucia is making its voice heard having written to the Prime Minister calling on him to follow the long established tradition of inviting independent international observers to observe the general election.

“Some are predicting a close call and we would not wish anyone to question the results of the elections and not have a recognized and independent party such as the OAS and CARICOM Election Observers to verify the conduct of the polls. We therefore take this opportunity to urge that you move with dispatch to invite the traditional international observers of elections to observe the general election in St. Lucia,” the Council stated.

The Royal St. Lucia Police Force meanwhile has cancelled the leave of all police officers as of 6:00 p.m. Sunday until 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Police officers are advised to refer to the operation order and deployment plan which is available at the nearest Station or Department.

They, along with firemen/women and correctional officers voted yesterday at polling stations in Castries and Vieux Fort. Reports were that there was a heavy presence at both locations.

Micah George is an established name in the journalism landscape in St. Lucia. He started his journalism tutelage under the critical eye of the Star Newspaper Publisher and well known journalist, Rick Wayne, as a freelancer. A few months later he moved to the Voice Newspaper under the guidance of the paper’s recognized editor, Guy Ellis in 1988.

Since then he has remained with the Voice Newspaper, progressing from a cub reporter covering court cases and the police to a senior journalist with a focus on parliamentary issues, government and politics. Read full bio...

14 Comments

  1. Tribal politics is this Senile Lazy People, the SLP, their strongest suit. Those on the other side have not taken into consideration this critical fact. It might just well cost them an election. That is one big hole in their defence.

    Don’t leave your own goal unattended. But you have to attack the tribal leader of the other side. Even if these SLPs win, long term they are reduced to a shambles. This is because, tribes depend on a single leader. We see that every day with their minions. The internal conflict necessary to select another leader is sufficient , like with Odlum and his PM Loiusy, to force a new election.

  2. I THE POLITICAL PROPHET HAS FORETELL THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION TO U LUCIAN’S
    BUT U ALL WANT POLLS AND POOLS FROM PEOPLE’S GIST?
    MY POLITICAL PROPHESY IS A GIFT FROM THE CREATOR.
    ALL OF U DOUBTFUL DOUBLE HEADED UWPPPPP YOUR PARTY DOWNFALL STARTED FROM THE TIME U-ALL WAS BOUGHT BY ALLEN TRUMP FOR A FEW BLOOD-DOLLARS. YOUR HANDS ARE STAIN WITH THE BLOOD OF STEVEN KING YOUR PARTY THEN SEAL ITS’ DOOM.
    YOUR DRAB LEADER ALLEN AUGUSTO PINOCHET WAS MADE A CLOWN AND CONTRADICTION THERE IS NO CONVALESCENCE FOR HIM BECAUSE OF HIS TRAITOROUS PLOT AGAINST S.KING.

    S L P WILL BE VICTORIOUS COME MONDAY JUNE 6 2016.
    FOR HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY BUT MY PROPHESY SHALL NOT PASS AWAY.
    U-ALL UWPPPPP HEART’S ARE HARDEN BY THE ALL MIGHTY CREATOR _( REMEMBER PHARAOH OF EGYPT ) DOOM’S DAY AND TOTAL DESTRUCTION FOR THE UWP.
    ALL FALL DOWN FINISH/FINE.

    BAL FINI VYELON ADAN SAK.
    GOD HATES A
    DISGRACE AND DEPRIVE BLOODTHIRSTY LOWDOWN PARTY.
    VICIOUS UWP BLATANTLY ARROGANT SCANDALMONGERS
    PRIMITIVE DOLTS.

    MAURICETTE ?
    WHO WROTE THIS BULL 4 U ?
    O I SEE IT IS YOUR INLAW PETER JUDAS CAIN JOSIE U AND JUDAS JOSIE ARE FROM THE SAME COON’S FAMILY !!!!!
    DESPERATION HAVE U AND YOUR MENTOR WRITING SUCH GARBAGE..

    U W P’S ARE SEEING THE SIGNS OF THE S L P’S VICTORY WRITTEN IN THE HEAVENS SO THEY ARE DESPERATE NOW.
    RING THE BELL NOW KENNY !!!!!!!!!
    SO KENNY RING THE STRAY-BELL AND NOW U ALL ARE ??????? HAVING NIGHTMARE ????????
    UNTIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    REDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
    WE REDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
    S L P REDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
    U W P U LOOS AND INEFFECTIVE.

    .

  3. Yes the wind of change is blowing like crazy to blow SLP ass out of the way. Serious Labor Pain is killing my Country the pain we can no longer bare. Goodbye Ali Baba and your sixteen thieves.

  4. few-of-u
    go look 4 your papa amount the 16 thieves.
    i will book a bed at latock 4 u come Monday. u bloody coon.

  5. Everybody who support the SLP are crack heads, alcholic cattapol and jarri sandals nothing of substance and value anything for chicken and rum no more STEP bye suckers. See you on MONDAY .

  6. The Flames uuum Flambeau of HELL are ALWAYS furious…….OUI!

    By the by I do not take alcohol and I am 90% Vegetarian (still like certain yogurts and cheeses )
    But the SLP aligns best with my Black Cultural Identity and EMPOWERMENT!!!
    Yes Indeed!!!

  7. ONE LITERARY ADVICE ADDRESSING YOUR GLAING IMMATURITY
    IF NOT Adolescent Mindlessness
    NEVER start an ASSERTIVE statement
    suggesting factual data with
    EVERYBODY
    EVERYONE
    EVERY……….ad infinitum
    You will be considered a pipsqueak illiterate maggot
    by ALL LOGICAL /rational THINKERS 🙂
    Tally ho!
    You are welcome.

  8. oops ………
    Dear FURIOUS Flames (Flambeau) from HELL
    please accept my spell check on “GLARING”
    Worth repeating twice as nice ….n’est pas?
    ONE LITERARY ADVICE ADDRESSING YOUR GLAING IMMATURITY
    IF NOT Adolescent Mindlessness
    NEVER start an ASSERTIVE statement
    suggesting factual data with
    EVERYBODY
    EVERYONE
    EVERY……….ad infinitum
    You will be considered a pipsqueak illiterate maggot
    by ALL LOGICAL /rational THINKERS
    Tally ho!
    You are welcome.

  9. oops I did it again
    lets do it again -One more , once……..OUI!
    ONE LITERARY ADVICE ADDRESSING YOUR glaring IMMATURITY
    IF NOT Adolescent Mindlessness
    NEVER start an ASSERTIVE statement
    suggesting factual data with
    EVERYBODY
    EVERYONE
    EVERY……….ad infinitum
    You will be considered a pipsqueak illiterate maggot
    by ALL LOGICAL /rational THINKERS
    Tally ho!
    You are welcome.

  10. FEW-OF-U!
    U DID IT AGAIN STOP LOOKING THROUGH THOSE OPINING IN YOUR MOM BEDROOM
    U BETTER GET A LIFE U HAVE A PSYCHOLOGICAL BRAIN DAMAGE THE COMBINATION OF COCAINE AND ALCOHOL THAT YOUR MA USED TO TAKE DURING THE TIME SHE GOT PREGNANT CAUSES YOUR PREMATURE BIRTH AND BRAIN DAMAGE .
    YOUR COMBINATION OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT YOUR BIRTH WEIGHT WAS 2 POUNDS, 3 OUNCES
    YOU ARE STILL PREMATURE AND MENTALLY RETARDED.U ARE NOT YET SOCIALLY ADJUSTED YOU ARE STILL ATTENDING PRESCHOOL THAT IS THE REASON WHY YOU ARE SO PROBLEMATIC.
    YOU ARE INAPPROPRIATELY AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS YOUR MOTHER.
    YOUR MALFORMATION IS A RESULT OF YOUR BRAIN DAMAGE.
    PLEASE STAY ON YOUR MEDICATION.

  11. With people just repeatedly talking to themselves, this is monologue fit for a stage in a theatre not a discussion blog. This is symptomatic of some deeper and very disturbing psychosis.

    Should there be any sanity left, such people should check out a shrink, before they become a greater danger to themselves and family, and to the public at large.

  12. /

    AS-SALAAM ALAIKUM/GOD’S PEACE BE WITH YOU

    WHY TODAY ? TODAY BEGINS THE HOLIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR. TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN, THE MONTH IN WHICH THE FINAL REVELATION TO MANKIND, THE QUR-AN, WAS REVEALED TO THE LAST OF ALLAH’S PROPHETS MUHAMMAD THE SON OF ABDULLAH.

    Surah Al-Baqara

    O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); (183)

    (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need – but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know – (184)

    The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. (185)

    And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright. (186)

  13. Change is good,….it opens doors to new frontiers,ideas and the unknown.discovering tomorrows world, one day at a time… we have to prosper,educate and elevate ourselves and country..our future depends on our efforts,failures and triumphs….its our destiny….”Go St.Lucia” lets be ONE again…Lets UNITE as one Nation ,One Destiny and One Propose.We are STILL …”The Helen of The West”

  14. /

    Surah Al-Anaam/The Cattle

    Say: “If what ye would see hastened were in my power, the matter would be settled at once between you and me. But Allah knoweth best those who do wrong.” (58)

    With Him are the keys of the Unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth, and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered) but is (inscribed) in a Record Clear (to those who can read). (59)

    It is He Who doth take your souls by night and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day; by day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; in the end unto Him will be your return then will He show you the truth of all that ye did. (60)

    He is the Irresistible (watching) from above over his worshipers, and He sets guardians over you. At length, when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fail in their duty. (61)
    Then are men returned unto Allah their True Protector, surely His is the Command― And He is the swiftest in taking account. (62)

    Say: “who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, when ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror: `if He only delivers us from these (dangers), (we vow) we shall truly show our gratitude’.?” (63)

    Say: “It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!” (64)

    Say: “He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance― each from the other.” See how We explain the Signs by various (symbols) that they may understand. (65)

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