Challenge launched against nomination of 2 NDP candidates

REGISTERED VOTERS in the Northern Grenadines Constituency, and in East Kingstown have written to the Returning Officers in those constituencies seeking the disqualification of Dr. Godwin Friday and Fitzgerald Bramble respectively from being elected. The letters of objection, each signed by 10 registered voters, were copied to the Attorney General and the Supervisor of Elections.

“Our objection rests on the firm factual and legal basis that Dr. Friday’s nomination as aforesaid offends Section 26 of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitutional Order, 1979 (hereinafter referred to as “the Constitution”) which states as follows: “(1) No person shall be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator if he (a) Is by virtue of his own act under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power or a foreign state”, a portion of the letter of objection to Dr. Friday states.

The letter of objection said Dr. Friday has admitted both inside and outside of Parliament that he is a citizen of Canada.

With respect to the letter seeking the disqualification of Bramble, he is said to have told several persons that for some time now he is a citizen of Canada.

Both candidates submitted their nomination papers yesterday, November 10, 1015- Nomination day, ahead of the November 27, 2025 general elections. Up to the time of closure of this edition, SEARCHLIGHT was unable to ascertain what was the current situation regarding a response to the objections, but learnt that the electoral officials were awaiting legal advice on the matter.

It appears that copies of the documents were in circulation on social media, and one of the signatories from the northern Grenadines, told SEARCHLIGHT that she felt pressured into signing her name on the letter of objection. She said she was of the opinion that she was signing a confidential document, and mentioned the name of another female she said also was led to believe likewise.

The two political parties have been ramping up their campaign machinery with massive rallies across the state as they seek to maintain loyalty among supporters, and woo those who are still undecided for whom they would vote.