SVG Constitution – St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution

Posts Tagged ‘St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009’

Referenfum Day in SVG

The day has finally arrived.  Today Vincentians in St.Vincent and the Grenadines will be voting on the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009.  In order for this new Constitution to become effective, 67% of persons casting their votes must vote YES, if just 34% of persons successfully cast their ballots  and vote NO to the new referendum, Vincentians will have to do good with the old 1979 SVG Constitution and wait until a few years from now to pursue this task again.

From all reports, up to midday today, the various polling stations have had no serious incidents.  The voters are orderly and patient.   Even though rain has been pouring continuously around the island, the turnout appears to be in the big numbers.

History is in the making, no matter how the results will eventually be.  It is now a fact that more than 70% of  persons living in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are now even more aware of the Constitution and that it exists to protect their rights and govern them.

I must say that the sad part of the process was that it was tarnished by politics, especially in the past month.  There were accusations between both parties, threats on rally podiums to ordinary citizens, lies, deception, deceit, irrelevant debates and rants and scare mongering tactics and I can go on and on on some of the negatives, which mostly came from the opponents of the bill.

In the end, it will be the Vincentians who go to the polls that decides if the 1979 Constitution is kept or if the 2009 Constitution passes the test.  Sixty Seven percent (67%) is a tall order to achieve and if that is accomplished fairly, it will be the grudge of the modern civilisation and history.

Will the St Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009 be successful?  Lets wait and see.