Alister Thomas sues ABEC and supervisor of elections

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Alister Thomas was the last information commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda

REAL NEWS: Alister Thomas, the United Progressive Party (UPP) caretaker for St. John’s City West, has filed a lawsuit against the supervisor of elections (SOE) and the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC).

The suit, which was filed on Friday, November 24, arose out of the supervisor’s refusal to provide Thomas with the picture list used in the January 18 General Election, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

Thomas had written to the supervisor in early September, requesting a copy of the controversial list.

 

However, Symister says, the supervisor declined the request on the basis of Section 18 of the Representation of the People Amendment

Act, which provides for the list to be distributed to returning and presiding officers.

But Symister contends that Thomas is entitled to receive the requested copy under the Freedom of Information Act – which states that, notwithstanding any other law, information requested must be given, provided that it does not fall within any of the four categories
listed for non-disclosure.

“The list does not fall into any of those four categories,” Symister declares.

Accordingly, the attorney says, Thomas is seeking a declaration from the High Court on this entitlement. In addition, he is seeking an Order that directs the supervisor to provide the claimant with a copy of the City West list forthwith

The hearing date has been set for January 16.

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14 COMMENTS

  2. The Freedom Of information (FOI) must not and cannot be ignored, by any government organisation, because denying any Antiguans their democratic rights to find out how the machinations of organisations function is our rights not no privilege.

    Just release the relevant FOI for Mr Alister Thomas to peruse, if there is nothing to hide. Simple!

    MY GOODNESS, WHAT ELSE IS BEING SWEPT UNDER THE POLITICAL CARPET?

  5. ABEC and maybe SOE election have their people in place to manipulate elections in favour of the Labour Party. How was Gaston able to transfer people from his constituency to other constituencies to help ministers get re-elected? Did Gaston have access to the computers? The courts must force them to provide the information. What are they covering up?

    • How do you feel Bolans Vere. Now that your Party led by Gasman Browne and his Candidate Judas.Got their arses beaten into a pulp in the By-Election last month.

    • If they put a bird brain in some a u guys are u still fly backwards a cant believe because of politics u make such a foolish statement about an Antigua

  7. Should state the for categories for non-disclosure. Real News should have stated the categories as written in the law. I guess they want Chaku to interpret the section for all readers.

  8. Recall when the dumb UPP first made the amendment for picture id to be attached. This happened right after the 2009 election where they almost lost. ABEC pointed out to them it was a dumb idea but they still persisted. This list was to be posted in public places, causing security concerns. It served no other purpose other than to invade persons privacy. The law was then amended to stop the draconian requirement especially since it placed a burden on ABEC without the requisite requirements. ABEC, continue to fight this battle to protect the public from those who wish to invade our constitutional right to privacy.

  9. Let’s agree here to disregard the empty rhetoric of the Labourites and Gastonites. This was long overdue.
    The idiot DAWG should have been hauled in and interrogated by the DPP along with all the people who participated in this illegal act, but alas. The mechanisms put in place to uphold the law just malfunction everytime. The DPP is guilty of dereliction of duty.
    Gaston Browne continues to violate the laws of this land as if he’s above the law. Our courts are corrupt and unreliable and most of the lawyers are abject cowards.
    Good for you Mr. Thomas.
    While we’re here, let’s look at a few of the many investigations that MUST happen. Who is paying back the 80 million Saudi loan to UWI? What happen to the 200 million US the clown borrowed in the height of Covid-19 that he offers some dunce explanation for?
    Can we file a FOI to get this information?
    What about the illegality of taxpayers funding the SMS bi-election? The list in long.

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