Four candidates are set to contest Vieux Fort South to the finish, each vying for the electorate’s favour.
Nomination day on Friday, November 21, saw the Saint Lucia Labour Party’s Danny Butcher, the United Workers Party’s Leanna “Lady Lee” Johannes-Paul and Independent candidates David “Apa” Charles and Choix Melchoir submitting their candidate papers for the December 1 general election.
Butcher was the first to arrive at the nomination centre shortly after 9 am, with a massive entourage and music truck. Butcher and his supporters made their way from Independence Square in a carnival-like parade to the promenade, the location of the nomination centre.
After completing the nomination process, the SLP candidate told St. Lucia Times that he was very happy to be the candidate for Vieux Fort South.
“Parts of it was emotional because I have been a part of the SLP for a very long time and now we are seeing a lot of newcomers. These are exciting times for Vieux Fort South. You can feel the pride, you can feel the energy and I am very, very excited,” Butcher declared.
He also revealed that his nomination fee of $500 was paid for by the children of Bruceville in Vieux Fort South. “They put together their funds and paid for my nomination, so I am very happy for that and I shall never forget them.”
The SLP candidate expressed his intention to continue running a peaceful campaign. “That is what democracy is about, everyone has their choice but we must respect people’s views, we must respect people’s ideas and ideologies. You are not going to hear any insults from me or name-calling, all you will hear are the plans of the SLP, the plans I have as a candidate and how we will be moving forward.”
St. Lucia Times also spoke to Lady Lee as she waited outside the centre with a much smaller group of UWP supporters.
She urged her supporters to remain focused and to come out en masse on December 1 to vote for progress.
The former radio announcer appeared relieved after completing the nomination process, saying that this was the first step toward change in the constituency.
“I want to urge all of Vieux Fort South to come out to vote, let us make the right decision on that day to right the wrong,” she said before marching along the promenade with supporters.
Croix, the first independent candidate to finalise the nomination process Friday, made his way quietly to the school.
“Thank you to the people of Vieux Fort, we have to do great things together,” he said following his nomination.
Apa, a popular social media personality, was the final candidate to file his papers. He arrived shortly after 10 am. However, some hitches with at least two of his six signatories delayed the process for another 45 minutes.
When it was all over, a relieved Apa said, “We’re making a progressive move toward development in our community, so I hope you’ll throw your support behind development.”
Asked about his decision to run as an independent, he cited the need to speak out on the issue of the lack of development in Vieux Fort.
“There is also a lack of appreciation for the people of the community and I think I can do something very productive for the people of Vieux Fort so I throw myself in the race,” he said.
Vieux Fort South has been an SLP stronghold for 28 consecutive years. Former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony has represented the constituency since 1997.
In May, he publicly announced that he would not seek re-election.
