Governor-General Upholds Legitimacy of ABEC Appointment in Face of Opposition Claims

12

Source Real News Antigua: Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle is awaiting a response to his second letter to Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams regarding the appointment of Arthur Thomas to head the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC).

In a letter dated February 23 and received by Pringle on February 26, Sir Rodney responded to the initial letter in which the Opposition leader pointed out that Thomas’ appointment had not met the legal requirement for consultation.

The Governor-General tells Pringle that he had had sight of a February 15 letter from Prime Minister Gaston Browne in which

Browne thanked the Opposition leader for allowing him to consult on Thomas’ appointment.

“Based on the assumption of regularity and my understanding of what is required to cross the threshold of ‘consulting,’” Sir Rodney writes, “I am firmly of the opinion that there has been no breach of Section 3 of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001
as alleged or at all.”

Responding to the Governor-General on February 27, Pringle tells him “it is unfortunate – though expected – that you chose to discredit my assertion.”

However, he tells Sir Rodney, “you have been deceived at the highest level,” since the “letter on which you based your full satisfaction … is a sham, intended to cover up the breach of the law.”

He brings to Sir Rodney’s attention that the seemingly backdated letter was delivered to the Parliament Building by Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst in the afternoon hours of February 19 – after the Governor-General had appointed Thomas on the morning of February 16.

“There was no consultation; not by appointment, not by telephone, nor by email – any of which would have been independently verifiable,” the Opposition leader’s letter reiterates.

“If the truth of this matter is of any interest to you, Sir, I strongly urge that you ask the Prime Minister for proof that this alleged consultation took place,” Pringle concludes, adding that he looks forward to hearing from the Governor-General after his
investigation.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]

12 COMMENTS

  1. @Governor General
    I use to have utmost respect for you and your office Sir, but you have defiled it and have become a big corrupter like Gaston, Cutie, Molwyn etc.
    Don’t you have any principle or decency left?
    Has the ABLP tarnished every decent person character that it come into contact with?
    I am totally ashamed of you and Gaston and this government.
    Such liars and deceivers.

    • @ MAGA in Antigua
      JEALOUSY IS A HELLUVA THING WITH YOU SICKENING PEOPLE.
      IT EATS YOU OUT AND CAUSE HEART TROUBLE,SO BE CAREFUL.
      MOUNT SAINT JOHN HAS NO MEDICINE TO TAKE CARE OF IT, COZ LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY, IT IS BROKEN AND NOT FUNCTIONING.
      WHAT AN INCOMPETENT AND BADMINDED AND ENVIOUS SET OF DUNCE PEOPLE. HOW CAN YOU BE JEALOUS OF SOMEONE’S INTELLIGENCE. SHE STUDIED AND WORKED HARD FOR IT.
      I suggest you do the same and try and develop yourself.

  2. Did any sensible person really expect anything different? The GG’s role is that of a figurehead. He follows instructions which ensure that he keeps his job with all the benefits and frills. But Mt. Pringle should not lose sight of the fact that it is not only in contravention of the Act but also that Arthur Thomas has no integrity and has no record of actually doing or achieving anything. Gaston keeps putting him on boards so that he can make a living. While as Chairman of National Parks he directed all legal work to his private law office. Is this the type of person to head the critical Electoral Commission?

  3. Watch this , Pringles playing with fire. Poof. This part of the law soon disappears. Wait for the amendment. Lol

    Mr Pringle I put it to you that government does as government wants and that’s a fact. That’s true no matter who in power.

  4. What does one expect from these stooges appointed by Gaston Browne to do his biddings? Dr. Williams should be ashamed of himself. Is there anything called th law in Antigua? Why do we need a Governor General anyway. UPP should go to court, but then again they may just appoint one of their corrupt judges to the case. We have a dictatorship in Antigua people.

  5. I have to agree that the Governor General has lost all credibility in the eyes of many Antiguans since his dereliction of duty in holding the Prime Minister to account a few months ago, and allowed the UK to interfere with our own political decisions.

    TEK YOUR WHITE SUIT, YOUR WHITE HAT AND CEREMONIAL SWORD AN’ GO SIT DONG IN A QUIET ROOM – YOU’RE NO PATRIOT. GU WAY …

    • @Brixtonian

      Tell Pringle to start writing His damn letters and stop being GISEL Isaac foot stool.

      He doesn’t understand what in the letter. Dumb Ass so called Opposition leader.

      • @ JP
        JEALOUSY IS A HELLUVA THING WITH YOU SICKENING PEOPLE.
        IT EATS YOU OUT AND CAUSE HEART TROUBLE,SO BE CAREFUL.
        MOUNT SAINT JOHN HAS NO MEDICINE TO TAKE CARE OF IT, COZ LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY, IT IS BROKEN AND NOT FUNCTIONING.
        WHAT AN INCOMPETENT AND BADMINDED AND ENVIOUS SET OF DUNCE PEOPLE. HOW CAN YOU BE JEALOUS OF SOMEONE’S INTELLIGENCE. SHE STUDIED AND WORKED HARD FOR IT.
        I suggest you do the same and try and develop yourself.

        • Absolutely correct @ further, these ABLP apologists, never deal with the woes currently troubling Antigua & Barbuda.

          They continually support the indefensible, and encourage the destabilising of this great country by allowing Gaston Browne to do as he pleases, without holding him to any accountability or transparency.

          Yet, all they can resort to is denigrating Antiguans at every opportunity, when all we want is a better country to reside in.

          Putting Gaston before country. Wow!

          • Furthermore, I recognised that Gaston Browne was a bull s%it#r after his FIRST term in office, and I’m completely baffled as to why others haven’t.

            #getridahhimgetridahhim

  6. The Parliament could use an additional four(4) INDEPENDENT seats, in the Parliament! But can contest at least thirteen(13) seats!
    Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Say what you’ll want. Not too many foresaw what happened(the split between Asot & Gaston; much less, Asot running as an INDEPENDENT, and winning).
    Having such a large contingent, of INDEPENDENTS in the Parliament would force for…
    A…better accountability!
    B…better management!
    C…better communication, on important issues, such as, the one being debated here, the selection of Candidates to the Electoral Commission!

    It’s time to reel in the politicians!
    Put some M.A.N.N.A.Z. pan dem!

    M…Mek!
    A…Antigua & Barbuda!
    N…Nice!
    N…e_Nice!
    A…Again!
    Z…Zeen!

    …it’s time fu de People
    …fu kum outah dem slumber’
    …stop bleating like a flock a sheeple!
    …it’s time to give dem a whopping!
    …and, put some MANNAZ, pan dem!

    Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
    De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard

    Vere C. Edwards

Comments are closed.