Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has urged Saint Lucians to use their vote wisely, describing it as a privilege that should not be taken for granted.
“We do not really understand the privilege of voting,” Pierre said outside Parliament on Monday.
He was speaking to the media shortly before a joint sitting of Parliament to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Saint Lucia’s attainment of adult suffrage.
“When you have to think back to a time when the majority of the population could not vote because they had no property and right now everyone who is 18 years and over can vote…I want to urge the people of Saint Lucia to use that wisely,” Pierre said.
“I want to thank them for using it wisely on the last two occasions…. We want to ensure that the people of Saint Lucia get the governance that they deserve.”
The special guest speaker at Monday’s special sitting was Leader of the Opposition of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
He also spoke to the media ahead of the sitting.
“For me personally, the 75th anniversary of Universal Adult Suffrage is an important sign post of the unfolding social democratic revolution, and I am pleased to see that the Parliament in Saint Lucia is commemorating and celebrating it and that I have been asked to participate,” Gonsalves said. Â
“I consider it a high honour and I want to thank the President, I want to thank the Speaker, and I want to thank the Prime Minister and Government and people of Saint Lucia for having me here. I deeply appreciate it.”
