PHILIPSBURG–The newly appointed William Marlin Cabinet is sticking to its stance that snap elections will not take place on February 9, 2016 as per the yet-to-take effect national decree of the former Marcel Gumbs Cabinet.
Prime Minister William Marlin announced today that his Cabinet will submit a new decree to Governor Eugene Holiday this week or, at the latest, on Monday. That decree is to set that elections will be held after constitutional and electoral reforms take place.
Marlin could not say when that process will be completed, but he explained it will be “a lengthy” period as the views of the wider community will be sought on reforms.
On the process to prepare for the snap elections, he said these will be looked at in the context of the October 29 national decree and its status.
The new Prime Minister said the people of the country “don’t want elections” and are “turned off” by the thought of elections without electoral and constitutional reform.
Putting off the snap elections as is desires by the former United People’s (UP) party-led coalition has nothing to do with the National Alliance (NA) being “afraid of elections,” said Marlin of the party he leads.
NA is “convinced” if snap elections are held as planned the country will face the same issues associated with instability in government if no reforms are made to the electoral system.