DLP voters brave showers to vote for new executive

Under cloudy skies and in unstable weather, hundreds of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) members flocked to the party’s George Street, Belleville, St Michael headquarters on Friday to cast their votes to elect a president in what has been regarded as a highly-contested race.

As members braved the showers and made their way to the polls, incumbent president Verla DePeiza and her challenger Reverend Guy Hewitt both expressed confidence about their chances of securing the top post.

“I am confident enough that we have already started our planning for the year to come. I am very confident,” said DePeiza.

Presidential challenger Reverend Guy Hewitt (left) with former Education Minister Ronald Jones (second left) and other DLP elders.

Reverend Hewitt noted: “It has been an exciting campaign and I think that the Democratic Labour Party, regardless of the outcome – although I am feeling confident – will be the winner because everyone is focused on us. The nation is seeing the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) as alive and kicking again and that is good for democracy.”

General Secretary of the DLP Damien Griffith informed the media that from the time the gates at party headquarters opened at 10 a.m. for the first day of voting, there had been a steady flow of voters, including party stalwarts including former Members of Parliament and ministers.

Griffith said the turnout demonstrated there is a great deal of interest in voting this year. He said the organising team had put great effort into encouraging and facilitating those who wanted to be part of the selection process.

“We have been facilitating voters in wheelchairs this year to make sure that every member who wants to vote, can vote. The numbers are up and I anticipate that they are going to be higher than last year’s numbers given the steadiness of the stream, but we wouldn’t be able to give you any further details until after the first day,” Griffith said, noting that Friday’s voting ran from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

“The numbers have been on the uptake since 2019 and I don’t see that stopping this year. There are two eight-hour days for voting and we have a number of Adventist members so we make provision on Friday so they could vote before their Sabbath, and that is why we go until 6 p.m.

“On Saturday, we are sharply finishing for 5 p.m., because of COVID protocols, and we need to be finished counting by a certain time as well. So, that was the thought behind the layout of the days.”

DePeiza related that she was feeling confident about the voting process and that the party’s membership would do what is right and necessary, not only for the DLP but the country at this time.

Meanwhile, Hewitt indicated that he cast his vote early and was satisfied that the process started smoothly, although he would have wanted the opportunity to see the party’s members’ list.

He was more satisfied about the transparency of the process now than he was a few weeks ago, he pointed out.

“…. It has become apparent to the nation that I have been up against two opponents. Both Ms DePeiza and Ms Mottley [Prime Minister Mia Mottley] have used all that they can to try to keep me in the shadows, but I am coming forward.

“I am confident in this first step against Ms De Peiza and once I am successful in getting the presidency then we will press on and deal with Ms Mottley after. As I said, it is not just about the DLP, it is about all of us. Barbados deserves better.”
(AH)