Government say it has to revoke Carnival Monday February 11th 2013 as a holiday in the sister island of Carriacou because of a requirement in the legislation which outlines the rules of General Elections.
“Due to the legal requirements of the Representation of the People’s Act, which stipulates the number of working days that must run between Nomination day and the day of General Elections, it would not be possible for government to formally declare 11th or 12th February as Bank Holidays,” said a statement from Office of the Prime Minister.
Although it is officially not a holiday, the Statement said that on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th all government offices and schools in Carriacou shall remain closed.
Last Wednesday Government issued a statement informing the public that February 11th will not be observed as a holiday in Carriacou due to general elections. Traditionally, Carriacou has observed Carnival two days before the official start of Lent.
“We wish to assure the general public and the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, in particular, that this situation does not, in any way, reflect a lack of interest or concern for the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and their cultural festivals,” said the statement.
