Former interim chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) John Cline rejected claims by former House of Assembly member Mark Vanterpool regarding alleged improprieties in the party’s delegate selection process during a live Facebook broadcast on April 23.
The remarks followed the April 18 convention at which Marlon A. Penn was re-elected chairman and Melvin Mitch Turnbull was elected deputy chairman.
Vanterpool, in a letter dated April 9, raised concerns about whether delegates in districts 1, 5 and 7 were selected through properly convened district association meetings and whether the process complied with the party’s constitution. He also questioned the eligibility of certain participants and suggested delaying the finalization of the delegate list to allow additional meetings.
In response, Cline said the process followed the party’s constitutional framework, emphasizing that district associations — not candidates — are responsible for selecting delegates.
“To suggest there was something unfair at the convention level is irresponsible,” Cline said during a public address. “No candidate has any right to select delegates — that is the sole responsibility of the district associations.”
Cline confirmed that each district association is tasked with sending delegates to the convention and that candidates are required to campaign for those delegates’ votes once selected.
“You don’t get to pick who votes for you — that’s not how a democratic process works,” he said. “One hundred and twenty-one delegates made a decision, and that decision must be respected.”
The exchange between the two men followed a closely contested leadership election. Penn secured 65 votes to retain the chairmanship, while Vanterpool received 39 votes and Ronnie W. Skelton received 17. Turnbull was elected deputy chairman with 64 votes, defeating Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57.
Cline also addressed the concerns in a written response, stating that the NDP constitution establishes district associations as responsible for political organization at the district level and for putting forward delegates. He noted that while the constitution does not prescribe a specific meeting solely for delegate selection, it implies that such decisions should arise from properly convened association meetings.
“The preferred and constitutionally consistent approach is that delegates emerge from properly convened association processes,” Cline wrote.
He further clarified that membership in district associations is based on residency and that both association officers and delegates should come from within their respective districts.
Cline said the party’s executive committee has authority to ensure district associations remain functional and may facilitate meetings where necessary to maintain compliance with the constitution. He added that the concerns raised by Vanterpool were reviewed and that guidance was issued to relevant districts.
The matter gained public attention after both Vanterpool’s letter and Cline’s response were circulated.
Cline rejected suggestions that the dispute reflects broader instability within the party.
“The party is not breaking up — the core is strong,” he said. “This is not a game. The politics of this country is not a playground.”
The NDP has maintained that the convention was conducted in accordance with its constitution and that the outcome reflects the will of the delegates as the party prepares for the next general election.
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