The cornerstone of every democracy is the independence of the process used to select a government. Governments must not and must not be seen to interfere with that process.
The announcement by the Cabinet that it will launch an investigation into voter registration in the Constituency of St Peter’s is an indictment on the independence of that cornerstone of our Democracy. It attacks the integrity of the Electoral Commission and its officers, as well as the Supervisor of Elections. It seeks in part, if not in whole, to usurp their functions that are enshrined in our laws.
What it suggests is an unconstitutional strategy to manipulate the results of the next general election in the constituency of St. Peter. It appears as yet, an attack on the right to vote designed to undermine the candidacy of the sitting Representative through selective suppression of voter registration.
It is no function of the Cabinet to investigate voter registration. That is the sole purview of the Electoral Commission. If any candidate or resident wishes to challenge the registration of any person within a Constituency, express provisions are laid out in the Representation of Peoples Act. This is the process of “Claims and Objections” and is well established and known to all.
All would be aware that the success of the National Housing programs has brought significant growth to the population of the St. Peter’s Constituency.
Government would better and rightfully employ its resources in providing acceptable roads, equipped clinics and schools in that consistency, rather than meddling in the electoral process.
It’s determination to undermine the candidacy of Asot Michael is not only unlawful but morally reprehensible.
We call upon the Attorney General to rise to the occasion and prevent this unlawful “launch [of] an investigation” using the resources of the State for personal political gain.
The Hon Asot Michael will continue to encourage/mobilize citizens to get registered and thereby prepare themselves to participate in free and fair elections. The matter of validity of registration and/or transfer of registration is strictly a matter for the Electoral Commission, the Supervisor of Elections and the various election officers engaged by law to conduct the voter registration function. The MP for the St Peters constituency remains confident that the election officials will fulfill their functions according to law notwithstanding the intimidatory tactics emanating from the Cabinet.
The Honorable Asot Michael further notes that contrary to subsisting Court Orders, that the certain Members of the ABLP have removed his access to Scrutineers in his constituency. Scrutineers are election officers with specific responsibilities in the voter registration process to ensure validity of the address qualification of persons applying to be registered. They report to the Party not the Government.
It is a character of this Country’s current Leadership that it continues to flaunt and disregard the Laws of our Land. Our Constitution and our election law ensure that the Electoral Commission shall, in the exercise of its functions, act impartially and independently of any political or governmental influence and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
This proposed Cabinet investigation into voter registration is yet another example of this sinister behavior that if left unchecked threatens to erode into a culture of lawlessness.
The citizens of Antigua and Barbuda should stand resolutely against this abuse of power and this shameful conduct of the Cabinet.
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Well said Mr micheal
This is a real test for the Electoral Commission. Let’s see if they have the backbone to halt the political usurping and the blatant law breaking of the laws of our Land.
Antigua’s Constitution is under serious threat if the ABLP think they can ride roughshod over this so-called voter registration – very sinister move by them indeed!!!
SMACKS OF REAL ABLP DESPERATION …
Tell dem again Asot!!! You nar go way easy….UPP 8 seats; GABLP 8 seats; ALP 1 seat. You have dem!!! Hold you side and stay in your lane. You will form the next Government of Antigua and Barbuda via a coalition.
When I read the news I was sure it was a news mistake and it having died I was sure. Thank you for picking this up and elucidating because this man is gone totally rogue!
Vote for Asot Michael in the upcoming general elections St. Peter’s electors.
Do not vote for the puppet who was installed.
That is exactly what “Claims and Objections” is for, not the cabinet.
The release reads:
“Cabinet members have been informed by scrutineers that an unusually high number of electors have been transferring their registration into the Constituency of St. Peter’s. The Cabinet will launch an investigation, and the candidate will prosecute “claims and objections” of those who have untruthfully and unlawfully transferred their registration to that constituency while remaining resident in another.”
Only a guilty man would be huffing and puffing about this (There will be an investigation and if issues found measures in the law to remedy them will be used). AM your dirty tricks won’t work
Well said Lungu
Waiting for Sungu to respond.
Well sorry Gaston but Red dead!!
All the more reason why renegade PM needs to be ousted from public office!!!
Sungu no better dan Lungu. Dem know each other. 🤣🤣
Is it wrong to pay people who are not inclined to register to do so .
Why is this a Cabinet matter and not a party matter?
Any party has the righ to challenge during claims and obligations but I fail to see how this becomes a governmental matter.
Yes yes yes
The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with the Cabinet and the Labor Party of Gaston Browne. They must know what is going on.History does not lie. People would lie by changing History.In my opinion,they have done it in the past,So they would know what is going on now.DUNG ALSO RISES TO THE TOP.
Assot Michael is going to talk and talk and talk and do and do and do until he do talk his way right into prison. He might also be able to take someone with him too . Just watch and wait.
This country is becoming Saturday Night Live
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