More representation in St. James South constituency
Constituents of St. James South will see more representation in their areas as four political parties and one independent made their way to West Terrace Primary School on Nomination Day.
Yesterday, West Terrace Primary School, the designated nomination centre for St. James South was opened at 10 a.m.. It was bustling with activity throughout the day as various candidates came to submit their nomination forms. The first candidate to see the Returning Officer, Charles Phillips was Jacqueline Alleyne of Solutions Barbados. Alleyne took about twenty-five minutes to complete the process and came out smiling with her proposer, Linda Webster and Seconder, Dr. Ronald Webster. Her witnesses were Kirkley Gibson and Renaldo Mahon.
History made, Independents, Second party arrives
By 10:55 a.m., independent candidate, Nicole Howell had made her way to the centre. Howell arrived with her proposer, Anthony Simpson, Seconder Sergio Watson and witnesses, John Scott and Shane Agard. While Howell was with the Returning Officer, another independent Barry-Paul Scott came alone around 11:22 a.m. After speaking to election clerk, Linda Phillips, Scott told the media he will be returning with his proposer, Seconder and witnesses at a later time. For the first female independent, her forms were completed by 11:25 a.m.
In this Western contituency, Howell will make the fourth woman of the expected six candidates (at the time) to campaign in St. James South constituency.
By afternoon, it was a steady flow of traffic at the St. James South nomination centre as United Progressive Party (UPP) Leader, Lynette Eastmond and party members arrived with UPP St. James South candidate, Christal Austin at 11:31 a.m.
As Austin met with the Returning officer, cheers and loud music could be heard on the outskirts of West Terrace Primary School. With a motorcade of over ten vehicles, party supporters and members of the Barbados Labour Party, (BLP) traveled along Wanstead and West Terrace before arriving at the Nomination Centre. BLP Candidate, Sandra Husbands with a large entourage was accompanied by colleague Kerrie Symmonds. She entered the door of the polling station area as UPP candidate Austin and Party leader, Eastmond were being interviewed with the media.
Austin was supported by proposer, Mervin Yearwood, Seconder, David Austin, witnesses Ryan Odle and Faith-Marie Bryan and she finished the nomination process by 12:13 p.m.
Change in arrival time
Originally, Husbands was expected to arrive at the school at 10:45 a.m. Yet, second time running candidate for St. James South entered the centre at 12:10 p.m. and left there at 12:32 p.m. While she and her team were in the centre, at the entrance of the school, BLP members wearing the party colour red waited patiently for their candidate to emerge. After completing her forms, she exited the area followed by proposer, Shirley Forde, Seconder, Hermès Rayside, witnesses Rosalind Mccollin and Susan Bishop.
DLP, Tuk band attract students
Incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate of St. James South, Donville Inniss along with fellow colleague Harcourt Husbands and party supporters calmly strolled into West Terrace School to sweet sound of the tuk band. Curious students and teachers came out in their numbers to see the performance as Inniss spoke briefly with some to the media at the front gate.
No challenges, Independent does not return
Arriving at his expected time of 1:30 p.m., a confident Inniss took the least amount of time at the nomination centre as he came out twenty minutes later. His proposer was Ashley Browne, Seconder, Roger Hunte, witnesses, Cyrilene Miller and Kyle Inniss. Up to 2:30 p.m. Returning officer, Charles Phillips did not indicate any significant challenges on the day. Objections which are rare, could have been made between 3-4 p.m.
At 4:20 p.m., there were no objections and Returning officer, Phillips indicated that Barry-Paul Scott had not returned to the nomination centre.