News
October 2, 2009

Employees must be allowed to vote

Any employer who directly or indirectly refuses to grant employees reasonable time to vote in the November 25 Referendum could face a a six-month jail sentence if found guilty.{{more}}

This was made clear by Rene Baptiste, Minister of Electoral Matters, on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, as she moved the Referendum Bill in the House of Assembly to hold a referendum to alter the Constitution of St.Vincent and the Grenadines in accordance with section 38 (3) (b) of the Constitution.

Baptiste said the law also applies to employers who may intimidate or use undue influence on their staff.

She told the House persons found guilty of the offence could be liable to a fine of $750, as well as a prison sentence.

Meanwhile, she said the question on the ballot paper will have three lines and will read: “Do you approve the

St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009, passed in the House of Assembly on the 3rd, September, 2009, to provide a constitution for St.Vincent and the Grenadines?”

Baptiste said voters would have to answer “yes” or “no” on the paper, which will have no political party symbols on it.