Nomination day deadline is today at noon

Persons wishing to contest the December 9, 2015 general elections have until noon today to return nomination papers to returning officers in the constituencies they wish to contest.{{more}}

According to the Notice of Nomination published last week, returning officers will be stationed at various locations in the 15 constituencies between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon today.

Each nomination paper must be signed by any six or more electors qualified to vote in the constituency of which the candidate is seeking election, before it is handed to the returning officer.

Nomination papers must be accompanied by a letter of consent from the person being nominated, a deposit of $500 in cash and the required statutory declaration form.

If only one person is nominated in a constituency, that person shall be declared elected by the returning officer.

Candidates who poll 15 per cent or less of the total number of valid votes cast on December 9 will forfeit their deposit.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Unity Labour Party (ULP) have each signalled their intention to contest all 15 seats, while the Democratic Republican Party announced six candidates last Wednesday night. Up to press time yesterday, the Green Party had not disclosed the number of candidates it intended to field.