ALP Hires International Pollster

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Politics

Thursday, 28 February 2013 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - The Antigua Labour Party has decided not to go the route of primary elections to decide on possible replacement candidates in the 2014 constitutionally due general elections.

Instead, the party has acquired the services of international pollster Bill Johnson, from Jamaica, to conduct polls in all 10 constituencies the ALP lost in 2009. This is slated for sometime within the next two weeks.

General Secretary Mary-Clare Hurst made the announcement on Monday night at a political townhall meeting in St Georges.
She said this decision was taken at the last ALP executive meeting, in an attempt to circumvent the divisive element reflected at the historic November Convention.

The polls will be held within the communities, instead of primary elections solely at the branch level.

“The executive thought that polling would be the best option, and in a democracy, as you are aware, majority rules," Hurst said.

Constituency branches are responsible for selecting candidates, who must make their intentions known formally at that level before their names are tabled before the ALP executive and a determination is made by the party's suitable committee.

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" It is not a personal situation or choice,” Hurst said. “It was a decision by the executive. All participating prospects must support whoever emerges as the candidate.”

She noted that the ALP is looking at candidates prepared to tackle issues of crime, education, agriculture, foreign direct investment, and youth development, among other areas. Each candidate must display exemplary creative thinking and be effective.

The general secretary stressed that everyone will not be able to serve as elected members, but consideration remains open for senate seats, ambassadorial posts, and other appointments, should the party be victorious in 2014.

A recent poll conducted by the ALP shows that 30 to 35 percent of voters in the upcoming elections are between the ages of 18 and 35, and the party will be seeking to actively engage this group.

"We want to position ourselves to do one thing and that is to bring home the general elections and make a better life for the people of Antigua and Barbuda," Hurst said.

According to the plan, all candidates would have been selected by the end of March.

Constituencies held by incumbent elected candidates will not be challenged. The person selected through the polling will be the constituency candidate in the 2014 general elections.

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