KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — The main Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) says it will end its boycott of the new Parliament and have its members sworn in as legislators, even though it continues to protest the results of the December 9 general election.

NDP leader Arnhim Eustace, speaking on his weekly radio programme, said the decision had been taken based on legal advice given to the party.

“We had previously stated that I, along with other elected members of the NDP, would refuse to be sworn in. However, I am legally advised that this decision could lead to the loss of all the seats the NDP now holds and, therefore, on the basis of that, we will now be sworn in.”

Eustace told radio listeners that “this must not be viewed as a sign of weakness”, adding “it must be seen as a strategic move in the interest of and the benefit of all who do not accept the election results, and that we will continue robustly and unflinchingly its legal and other protest action”.

Earlier this month, the NDP announced the boycott of the new Parliament that is due to hold its first session after the Christmas season and also questioned the role of the various regional and international groups that observed the polls.

“Caricom (Caribbean Community) will say, it is free and fair; the OAS can say it was free and fair. We in the New Democratic Party say it was not free and it was not fair. And at least I have been in contact already with three OECS prime ministers on the matter of this election,” Eustace said then.

The ruling Unity Labour Party of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves won by a margin of eight to seven, mirroring the 2010 results. But the NDP insists that there were too many irregularities in the elections and is refusing to accept the results.

Eustace said that the party had put on hold all protest action until after the Christmas holidays.