34 candidates file nomination papers

The treasury of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines got an injection of EC$17,000 on Monday, November 21, Nomination Day.

The money represents the deposit of $500 made by each of the 34 candidates who filed their nomination papers to contest general elections in the country’s 15 constituencies on December 7. {{more}}

The country’s two main parties, the governing Unity Labour Party, ULP, and the New Democratic Party, NDP, as expected, are fielding candidates in all 15 constituencies. After promising to field candidates in the 13 mainland constituencies, the Green Party only managed to come up with four candidates. Their leader, Ivan O’Neal, said the others bowed out after they were “bought out” and intimidated.

There will be three-way fights in the constituencies of North Windward, South Central Windward, South Windward and East St. George. The other 11 constituencies will see straight fights between the NDP and ULP.

Any candidate who does not poll more than 15% of the valid ballots cast in the constituency he seeks to represent will forfeit his deposit.