Vincentians vote in historic Constitution referendum

More than 98,000 people are eligible to vote in the referendum and the Commission said a high turnout is expected.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, November 25, 2009 – Vincentians are today casting ballots in a historic referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution.

A total of 225 polling stations opened from 7 am and are scheduled to close at 5 pm. But the Constitutional Vote St Vincent and the Grenadines Electoral Commission says it is prepared to extend polling stations opening times to ensure all voters get the chance to have their say.

More than 98,000 people are eligible to vote in the referendum and the Commission said a high turnout is expected.

Observers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Organisation of American States (OAS) are monitoring the poll.

It’s expected that the ballots should be tallied and a result made public by midnight.

The governing Unity Labour Party has been conducting a "Yes Vote" campaign over the past several weeks in an effort to convince voters that replacing the Constitution handed down at independence in 1979 is the right move. It needs 66.7 percent of the vote to effect change.

However, the opposition New Democratic Party has been calling on voters to reject the proposed Constitution.

Additionally, a “Vote No Committee” has also been lobbying against it, and questioned the government's use of public funds for its campaign.

The group had also gone to court seeking an injunction. It has since withdrawn that application but said that it would continue efforts to have the “Yes Vote” campaign declared unconstitutional and the money spent on it returned.