POND ISLAND--The United Democrats, the merger of the United People's (UP) party and the Democratic Party, has unofficially earned its place on the ballot for the February 26 snap parliamentary elections. The party had 198 endorsement signatures from registered voters, 56 more than the established number of 142.
Supporters of the new party were still trickling in at 1:00pm to register their commitment.
Trailing behind are St. Maarten Development Movement (SDM) at 97 signatures, St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) at 98 and the People's Progressive Alliance (PPA) 35.
The parties have until 4:10pm to garner as many signatures to meet or surpass the required 142, which represent one per cent of the voters who cast a ballot in the 2016 snap elections.
The "extra" 10 minutes was allotted to make up for the late start to the endorsement process. Flooding in the hurricane-damaged old Civil Registry Building on Pond Island caused the delay.
The Central Voting Bureau will inform all four parties officially on Friday if they will be on the ballot or they will be granted another day to gather the still needed signatures.
