NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 25, 2020) — Mrs. Cleone Stapleton Simmonds of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) is the second candidate nominated to contest in a by-election on March 05, 2020, to fill a position left vacant by Hon. Joseph Parry the only opposition member in the Nevis Island Assembly at the time of his retirement from the assembly and from active politics on December 31, 2019.
She was nominated by her brother Mr. Collin Terrence Stapleton of Cotton Ground and Ms. Jenet Jennifer Jeffers of Cotton Ground on Nomination Day, February 25, 2020, at the Cotton Ground Community Centre. Following the nomination Mrs. Stapleton Simmonds expressed contentment.
“I am very happy to be nominated as the candidate for Nevis 5 on behalf of the Nevis Reformation Party. I look forward to the upcoming election in order to continue to return St. Thomas’ to the Nevis Reformation Party.
“I think it is a very great accomplishment so it is a good feeling. As you know the whole mission, really, is to encourage more women to get involved in active politics,” she said.
Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis indicated in an address on February 14, 2020, that Mr. Parry had tendered his letter to the Nevis Island Assembly, signalling his retirement from the parliament and active politics with effect from December 31, 2019.
Under the constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis the letter of retirement paved the way for the by-election, a date for which, under the constitution, is fixed by the Premier of Nevis.