SXMElections.com

ST. EUSTATIUS--A record number of six parties will be contesting the March 18 Island Council election in St. Eustatius. All parties presented their lists of candidates at the Civil Registry on Monday, among them newcomers Statia Liberal Action Movement (SLAM) and a nameless party headed by former Commissioner of Finance Glenville Schmidt.

All candidates' lists were presented to Merlene Hudson-Elliott, who also verified the credentials.

SLAM is a new name on the ballot. This party will contest the election with current independent Island Council member Millicent Lijfrock-Marsdin at its head. During the current tenure of the Island Council, Lijfrock pulled out of the Democratic Party ((DP)) to make a coalition with United People's Coalition (UPC). Current Commissioner Carlyle Tearr is SLAM's number two candidate.

Former Commissioner Glenn Schmidt will also be vying for a seat in the Island Council on a nameless non-party list, joined by Gershon Lopes, Edzel Schmidt and political activist Wilhelm Joshua Spanner.

Ruling UPC Commissioner and party leader Reginald Zaandam presented its number one list at 12:00 noon. Current independent Island Councilman Reuben Merkman, who contested the 2011 election on the (DP) slate, will be running as a UPC candidate this time. UPC's number three candidate is current Island Councilman Elvin Henriquez. The list is completed by Derrick Simmons Jr. (4), Perla Duinkerk (5), Miquel de Jesus (6) and René Courtar (7).

"UPC is proud to present the list of candidates for the election. We are ready to continue governing, so we call out to one and all to go to the polls on March 18 to give UPC that mandate," said Zaandam.

Headed by party leader Clyde van Putten, Progressive Labour Party (PLP) presented its list with nine candidates at 2:00pm. The party, which is currently not represented in the Island Council, presents itself to the voters with the following candidates: Astrid McKenzie-Tatem (2), Richeline Leerdam (3), Charles Woodley (4), Laurens Duiveman (5), Arlene Spanner-Schmidt (6), Shawn Richardson (7), Brenda van Putten (8) and Renaldo Redan (9).

St. Eustatius Empowerment Party (STEP) presented its list of candidates around 3:20pm. Island Councilman Franklin Brown is number one on the list, followed by Hadaki Mitchell (2), Jacques Anson (3) and Iligia Jones (4).

Brown said he would be going door-to-door and would use the radio to get his message across. "The economy needs a boost. STEP is also in favour of more autonomy as the island needs to have more say in its affairs," Brown said in starting his party campaign.

The (DP), which is currently in opposition, had already announced its list of candidates last month. The official registration of the (DP) candidates was preceded by a motorcade of candidates and party supporters on Monday.

Headed by current Island Council Member Adelka Spanner, the (DP) list consists of former Commissioner Koos Sneek (2), Ernie Simmons (3), Marietza Patrick (4), Christina Woodley-Charles (5), Raquel Spanner-Carty (6), Shanna Mercera-Gibbs (7), Marlon Murray (8) and Ralph Berkel (9).

The (DP) will present its party programme and introduce its candidates during a party congress at Van Putten Youth Centre (Lions Den) Saturday at 7:30pm. The keynote speaker will be former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Suzy Camelia-Römer.