CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — National Security Minister, Victor La Corbiniere, has issued a new warning regarding election violence in the wake of campaign activity as the country prepares for a general election, which Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony says will be held before year end.

“I have said and I am very firm on this, this election is going to be peaceful, it is going to be conducted in a peaceful manner,” La Corbiniere declared. He asserted that there was no reason to believe that the ruling St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) would engage in activity of that nature, as the party has committed itself to a peaceful poll. “That is the way we have always behaved,” the minister observed. However, he said there have been signals from the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), that have not been very good.

La Corbiniere mentioned an incident during the opening of the Soufriere bridge, recalling that UWP supporters came up to the location and acted in a way that was not only provocative, but almost “drew in” political violence. He also mentioned a recent incident outside parliament involving UWP supporters.

“I expressed a view after the incident outside of parliament and I made it clear that there is no room for having any kind of disturbances as a result of our general elections, and I made it clear that this would not be allowed to happen in St Lucia and I maintain that,” the minister observed.

La Corbiniere made reference to the situation in Jamaica which is also preparing for elections. “If you look at Jamaica recently you had significant and dangerous blowouts that seem to be from what the media are saying connected to the political process.” La Corbiniere asserted that this can never be allowed to take place in St Lucia.

The minister warned that anyone who is going to take the lead to suggest that this is the way St Lucia needs to go is certainly going to come up against the St Lucia government and him as Minister of National Security. He noted that the Commonwealth has had a history of peaceful elections with persons disagreeing among themselves and having spirited campaigns and platforms.

But La Corbiniere said there is no place for election violence in this country.