Daniel Cummings (left), Chairman of the New Democratic Party, signs the Code of Conduct agreement on behalf of his party, while Augustine Ferdinand (right), Director of the Institute of Governance and Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean signs the document on behalf of the Unity Labour Party, in the presence of Bishop Gerard County and other members of the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM).
The Unity Labour Party (ULP), and New Democratic Party(NDP), have signed the General Elections Code of Conduct agreeing to keep the peace in the run-up to the November 27, 2025 polls.
One inclusion in the 2025 code provides for the leader of the Opposition, Dr. Godwin Friday to be assigned police protection.
Director of the Institute of Governance and Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean, Augustine Ferdinand, signed the document on behalf of the ULP, while Chairman of the NDP, Daniel Cummings, on behalf of his party, signed the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism(NMCM) Code of Ethical Political Conduct for the 2025 General Elections.
The signing ceremony and launch of the Code of Conduct took place at the Methodist Church, Kingstown, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
In brief remarks following the signing, Ferdinand conveyed his sincerest apologies for the absence of ULP General Secretary, Julian Francis.
He spoke about the importance of both political parties having come together to sign this document and agree to peaceful and fair elections in the country.
“In the Scripture, Matthew 5:9 says Blessed are the Peacemakers because we are the sons of God, so therefore, we in the ULP, we continue and we believe in conducting ourselves in accordance to that scripture- making peace and showing peace…” Ferdinand said, as he underscored the necessity for peace in the upcoming general elections.
“And while we have competitive elections…we do so peacefully and in accordance to the laws of our country, which we in the ULP subscribe to.”
Ferdinand added that the ULP conducts itself in a peaceful manner, whether or not there is an agreement.
“[We] understand the importance of people exercising their fundamental right in choosing the government of SVG, but we, again, emphasize we must do it peacefully…”
Cummings said it was a pleasure for him to sign the Code of Conduct on behalf of his party.
“It requires no argumentation that ours is a party committed to the cause of SVG with peace at the center. We have long been calling for a kinder and a gentler society in the true meaning of that expression.”
Cummings also said that the NDP is committed to putting SVG first, and thanked the NMCM for the Code of Conduct and also drew attention to what he considers to be the
first infringement of the Code.
“Don’t know why or how it is possible, but more than two weeks ago, we, the NDP, submitted and got approval for a series of meetings, including the final one in my constituency at Lowmans on November, 4” Cummings related following the signing. He said that on November, 3, the ULP advertised for a meeting in the identical location.
“That is not nice. As I said, ours was approved over two weeks ago and I pray that those who are responsible for that will make the necessary corrections because we had made plans for a long time for this particular meeting.”
He remarked that there can be errors but this one is more than mind-blogging.
“Again, the way of the people is the most important thing in an election and I pray that our consciences will be guided and we’ll have free and fair general elections 2025.”
President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council, Bishop Gerard County, said that the office of NMCM, located at the Kingstown Methodist Church is open Monday to Friday.
“Of course, if you need to contact us on any matter, whatever matter whatsoever, please feel free to contact our office, and they’ll keep us up to date on what is happening,” he said, adding that their hope is to have a peaceful election and the observation of the rule of law.
Coordinator of the Christian Council, Godfrey Samuel, said that the 2025 Code of Conduct is almost identical to that of 2020.
“There were just some grammatical corrections and one or two additions, but basically, the general content is as what went on in 2020.”
He said the main addition is for the provision of police protection for Dr.Friday.
“That was not in the 2020 but that was included in this one to ensure that there’s protection for the leader of the opposition….”
The five page document states that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council and the NMCM are responsible for monitoring the Code, which includes the adherence to the letter and spirit of the Representation of the People Act.
“Although this Code
is not a legislative instrument, it is expected that all signatories, candidates, and the parties they represent shall scrupulously adhere to it since political leaders have signed. The public is invited to register objections to any breach of the Code and report to the Council and the NMCM accordingly.”
