Number of Nigerians registered to vote in East Kingstown incorrectly cited – Supervisor of Elections

Supervisor of Elections Sylvia Findlay has refuted claims that 16 Nigerians registered to vote in East Kingstown last Monday.

On Tuesday, during a radio programme, Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace said that he was given information that between 16 and 18 Nigerian medical students had registered to vote in East Kingstown, when in fact they did not live in that constituency.{{more}}

He said that the information was brought to him while he was at his campaign office in Sion Hill on Monday night.

Eustace said that the chance of 16 persons from Nigeria turning up to register in the area is not a coincidence. He described the alleged registration of the Nigerians as a deliberate, calculated exercise being carried out by the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) candidate in East Kingstown.

“This thing is getting ridiculous now…and dangerous and one of the fellas that brought them said see if you can stop that,” said Eustace, who added that they have already had some names removed from list, but it is becoming harder to have the names removed, as this is the late registration period.

In a release issued on Wednesday, Findlay said that the number given by Eustace was wrong.

“The Electoral Office is aware of the fact that five (5) medical students, who were born in Nigeria and who have been resident in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for periods ranging from one (1) to three (3) years, were registered in the East Kingstown constituency on Monday, 16th November, 2015, and not 16 students as reported in the media,” said Findlay in the release.

She noted that prior to Monday, November 16, 2015, there were six Nigerian medical students who were registered as voters in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The six students were registered in Marriaqua (1), East Kingstown (1), West St George (2) and East St George (2).

“The Representation of the People Act 1982 Cap. 9 Sec. 5. (1) provides for Commonwealth citizens who are resident in the State for a period of at least twelve (12) months and reside in a particular constituency for six (6) months are eligible to be registered as voters,” the release said.

Eustace said that he wants the medical schools that the students attend to be informed about the alleged illegal registration, as the issue would have implications for the schools also.