PHILIPSBURG:--- Since its establishment at the end of January, the Electoral Council has been very active and has held regular meetings on a weekly basis to be prepared for the registration of political parties for the upcoming elections on August 29th, 2014. In addition, the Electoral Council met with several third parties, including the President of Parliament, the Minister of General Affairs, the Secretary General of General Affairs, the Committee on Integrity Public Administration, and other stakeholders.
The Electoral Council also attended five congresses and general meetings of political parties and embarked on an information campaign which included a very well attended information session at the University of St. Martin and a meeting with the Central Committee of Parliament.
The information campaign will continue after the Carnival festivities.
Last Thursday, on April 17, 2014, the Electoral Council invited the first two political parties to its office to inform them that the Electoral Council has approved their registration enabling them to participate in the upcoming Parliamentary elections as well as the reference that is to be placed above their slate of candidates. A copy of the letter submitted to the political parties was sent to the Central Voting Bureau. The official decision by the Electoral Council on both the registration and the reference of the two parties will be published in the National Gazette and in the local newspapers.
Currently, the application of a third political party is under review and a representative of another party recently visited the office requesting information on the application for registration of the party.
The Electoral Council calls on the political parties that have not yet applied for registration and have an interest in participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections to do so at their earliest convenience. The last day to apply for registration is six weeks before postulation date. Consequently, any application for registration submitted after aforementioned date, will not be taken into consideration.
Political parties and their candidates are reminded to review the National Ordinance on Registration and Political parties which can be found on the government website in Dutch and in English. All candidates in the upcoming elections are also urged to keep a financial overview of their revenue and expenditures that is to be submitted to the Electoral Council within one month after the elections.
An office for the Electoral Council has been secured where parties can drop in for information on the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties and the functions of the Electoral Council. The office is located on Back Street No. 145 B. Opening hours are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 13:30 to 17:30 hours and on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 13:00 hours. Telephone no. : 543 9888. Fax no.: 543 9887. The office will be closed on the official holidays.