REAL NEWS: Persons are asking whether Prime Minister Gaston Browne can launch an investigation into registration operations for the St. Peter constituency, where he is alleging that the voters list was padded by independent MP Asot Michael.
Browne’s accusation is also being seen as a red herring, designed to divert attention from his own admission of voter padding in St. John’s City West.
Several weekends ago, Browne told his radio audience that voters had been transferred out of his constituency and into other areas to give his Labour Party colleagues an unfair advantage.
Since then, he has been facing a backlash and public criticism, with several people and institutions – including the Free & Fair Elections League and the United Progressive Party (UPP) – calling for the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) to investigate the matter.
Former ABEC Chairman Bruce Goodwin has also called on the Commission to launch a probe.
Accordingly, pundits says that Browne is trying to throw a monkey wrench into the discussions by moving the spotlight from him and onto the St. Peter MP, who convincingly won his seat.
Legal sources say that only the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) can investigate such matters under Section 82 of the Representation of the People Act, which speaks to corrupt practices in elections.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether Browne actually writes to the DPP requesting the investigation – and whether the request is honoured – since the prime minister, in his own capacity, cannot proceed on the matter.
Despite this limitation, Browne has announced that an investigation into the significantly increased number of transfers into St. Peter will be launched this week.
The prime minister is claiming there was an unusual augmentation to the St. Peter numbers prior to the January 18 General Election; and this, reportedly, was drawn to the Cabinet’s attention in September 2022 by Labour Party candidate Rawdon Turner and former MP Dean Jonas.
Jonas allegedly reported to the Executive that constituents of St. George had been paid to transfer to St. Peter; but that claim has not been substantiated.
Browne – who has been at loggerheads with Michael for a few years now – alleges that these people were transferred to improve the independent member’s chances of winning the seat.
However, last year, Michael linked the surge in numbers to the residents of the new National Housing project in Paynters, about which the Browne Administration has repeatedly boasted. And he subsequently defeated his three opponents by a margin of hundreds.
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Asot went out to the new houses , met the people. , And won them. Unlike some party members who failed to leave the comfort of their vehicles, the green mango tree, the rice pudding shop and the school area in asw.
Until next time follow me for more election winning tips.
Actually the notion of voter padding cannot be taken lightly because it reflects negatively on the credibility of our General Elections. It also calls into question the work and efficiency of the Electoral Commission and their ability to monitor and ensure that the processes that leads up to our general elections are fair, honest and credible. That being said, the impact on voter padding in every constituency must be looked at and examined. It cannot just be limited to St. Peter’s.
Through the same investigation, he needs to let us know of his involvement in previous voter-padding in the same constituency, to assist his then very good friend, Asot Michael.
Both Gaston and Asot are from the same bellies of the beasts,known as the ABLP. They are both aware of the inner workings of the ABLP and paddings of Vote in past Elections.Now Gaston is coming in clean.Too little too late Stache.In my opinion,you are like Satan trying to correct sinners from sinning.We the people do know you best.
Now that his mouth landed him in hot water, he’s trying to walk it back talking ’bout jargon. What an idiot! Let’s see what the DPP does? Hope the haul his a$$ in for questioning. He thinks he’s above the law and the toothless, cowardly bar association is silent. As expected. Way too many Antiguans are compromised. This country needs a purging.
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