PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The nomination of the various political parties to contest the January 9th 2020 parliamentary election took place on Thursday, and as a result, the official list of candidates have been submitted to the Central Voting Bureau under the leadership of Chairman, attorney Jason Rogers.
Some 7 political organizations were able to successfully present their list of candidates to take part in the election process. Those parties to fight to obtain seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections are the National Alliance, the United Democrats, the United St. Maarten Party, the United People’s Party, the People’s Progressive Alliance, Party for Progress, and the St. Maarten Christian Party.
However, the first party to submit their list of candidates to the Central Voting Bureau Thursday morning at exactly 9 am was the newly established PFP. The political organization presented a list of 8 candidates.
Spearheading list is the leader of the political organization Melissa Gumbs. Shortly after presenting her list of candidates to the Chairman of the Central Voting Bureau, attorney Jason Rogers, Melissa Gumbs reassured that PFP is here to work on behalf of the people of St. Maarten.
Meanwhile, the 2nd party to present its list of candidates Tuesday morning was the National Alliance. The Party led by Prime Minister the Honorable Silveria Jacobs submitted a list consisting of 23 individuals.
The 3rd party to present its list of candidates with Member of Parliament, the Honorable Rolando Brison at the helm of the organization was the United People’s Party. The party presented a full slate of 23 candidates to the Central voting bureau on Thursday. MP Brison told reporters that the party’s vision is to work in the best interest of St. Maarten and its in habitants.
The People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) is one of the political parties that must acquire 136 signatures of endorsement on Friday, if it is to be qualified for the parliamentary election. Speaking at the presentation of the party’s list of 15 candidates on Thursday, leader of the PPA drs Gracita Arrindell explained why it is so essential for the voters to put their trust in the party and its candidates. According to Arrindell, for too long, the residents are suffering, mentally, socially and structurally. It is for this reason she noted that the people of St. Maarten deserve good, strong, stable and reliable representation.
The St. Maarten Christian Party currently enjoys one seat in the House of Parliament and during the upcoming parliamentary election on January 9th, the party, who presented its list of some 13 candidates, is looking forward to capturing more seats.
“We see ourselves as a stabilizer, as a stabilizing factor in all of the rest and that is what we are all going to maintain,” stated leader of the United Democrats, Member of Parliament the Honorable Sarah Wescot Williams. Unlike to previous parliamentary election in 2018 when the party had a full slate of 23 candidates, the political organization only presented a list comprising of 11 persons on Thursday. Speaking to reports on Thursday, Wescot-Williams also acknowledged that there are some critical actions that are needed to be taken, in the area of electoral reform to guarantee stability.
Member of Parliament, the Honorable Frans Richardson who is also the leader of the United St. Maarten Party (USP), called on the population to support the party in their quest to make a difference for the inhabitants. USP submitted a list of 19 candidates to the Central Voting Bureau on Thursday.
Meanwhile, from the total of the seven parties who submitted their list of candidates to the Central Voting Bureau on Thursday to take part in the upcoming election, four have already booked their place. However, the People’s Progressive Alliance, the Party for Progress and the United People’s Party will have to garner the 136 signatures, if they are to be qualified for the January 20th parliamentary election.
