Joy Matthews retains SVG Teachers’ Union presidency

Voting irregularities and a 66 per cent turnout did not change the inevitable; Joy Matthews has returned to lead the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, following general elections on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.{{more}}

Matthews was officially voted into the position for which she had been in the acting capacity, since the exit of former president Otto Sam last year.

She defeated Ray Laborde 453 votes to 135, with former Public Relations Officer Oswald Robinson receiving 38 votes.

Former Second Vice President Sheldon Govia moved one place up in the ranks when he was elected First Vice president with 437 votes over Olive Allen (259) and Vincent Benjamin (191).

The vacant Second Vice President post was filled by Elvis Charles, who was elected over Hanif King 562 to 317 votes.

After holding the position of treasurer in the nineties, James Wilson returned to the familiar spot with a 492-229 win over Calvin Herbert, with Anthony Compton picking up 139 votes.

Vibert Lampkin is the new Public Relations Officer, beating out Insa Prince 506 votes to 345, and Margaret Lewis Jackson secured a 554 to 290 vote win to secure the position of Assistant General Secretary.

The areas of contention lie with the positions of committee members; of which two persons are to be elected and that of General Secretary.

According to election supervisor Curtis King, a mix up at one school in the Southern Grenadines, which saw non members casting votes, made it impossible to call a winner in these two categories.

King indicated that a revote will have to take place at that school.

At press time, it was too close to call for the post of General Secretary between Carmallie Nichols and Philbert John, and while Rawle Caine is out front, the second post for Committee Member is still up for grabs between Dallis White and Jan Providence.

King indicated that the turnout for the elections was one of the highest in recent times, with approximately 66% of the union’s 1245 members casting their ballot. (JJ)