The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is urging the population to vote “no” when they head to the polls on Tuesday to determine whether or not to replace the London-based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), as the island’s final court.
The executive of the NDC, initially supported the exercise but on Friday, as members of the security forces cast their ballots on the special polling day, the party’s interim political Leader Joseph Andall said the party has taken a new position because members are not satisfied with the process.
“For example, two of the persons who were involved in drafting the Bill are members of the Advisory Committee, therefore they have a vested interest in defending and protecting the bill, it means there is no objectivity when it comes to a discussion regarding discrepancies, flaws or omission,” he said.
Condemning the method of educational engagement by the Advisory committee, Andall said that the NDC believes that the Committee was playing a dual role of advising and leading the “yes” campaign .
According to the party leader if Grenadians vote in favour of leaving the Privy Council, there could be dire consequences for the country
Meanwhile, Supervisor of Elections, Alex Phillip said more police officers voted on Friday for the 2018 referendum when compared to the 2016 referendum.
“There were 875 police officers enlisted to vote and by the end of polling time 442 cast ballot but in 2016 less than 35% of the officers voted,” he said. Overall, for the 2016 referendum, less than 35% of registered voters participated in that referendum which required them to vote on seven bills.
On Tuesday all other persons registered to vote will have the opportunity to vote yes or no on ballots asking: “Do you approve the Bill for an Act proposing to alter the constitution of Grenada cited as Constitution of Grenada (Caribbean Court of Justice and renaming of Supreme Court) (Amendment) Bill 2018?”
The vote comes almost two years after Grenadians rejected a move to replace the Privy Council with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
However, on that occasion, the voters had six other bills to vote on.
The 1974 Grenada Constitution states that while the final appellate court is the Privy Council any change or amendment would require a two-thirds of the voting population in a national referendum.
The CCJ, established in 2001, settles disputes between Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and presently serves as the highest court of appeals on civil and criminal matters for the national courts of Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana.
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Well at least grenada opposition smart
Jamal Pringle is half-asleep. He needs a redbull or 5-hour energy like yesterday!
Y they promoting this as a black and white thing….telling us about grace and how it cost this and cost that and how it is not paid by the governments but i guess they missing the point……most of these guys are friends and went to the same school so give us a little time to gain that confidence but not now gaston sorry…….
This gentleman had a lawyer who was dealing with his case and he turn to her and told her smiling after taking her money that the case is kina tuff because he and these guys went to school he is a magistrate now … he is now getting justice with another lawyer so see our point ….
You think a judge can rule contrary to law in a court case. And if he has a conflict of interest and doesn’t accuse himself he or she runs the risk to be taken of the court. You think anyone would risk that.
By the way British Lawyers and Judges went to the same school too. So to is it all over the world even in the great united states. The pools are small. But that doesn’t mean that one cannot be professional and deliver justice. I know the bank manager he is a old school buddy of mine, but you think I can run my account at the bank as I wish and don’t pay my loans?
Ok so great SAY NO since they all went to the same school make sure alright
Harold Lovell you see how people with balls who want to represent people act when democracy is threatened
They don’t sit and whine and complain and say vote your conscience when they see the process being politicized.
They encourage their supporters to vote NO for the CCJ.
We know it is being politicized we don’t need your opinion we need your leadership. If you’re not leading shut up and get out of the way and let young blood take over.
Harold Lovell the people will never forget you for letting them down when it counted most. You are the most cowardly, useless and spineless politician on this planet.
Lovell is a puppet cant vote for upp if he is there again
Our immature politicians in the Caribbean seems to as soon as they lose an election put party before country. And with that they will ensure the ruling party never makes any progress in the development of the country. Whereby the country stays behind and also the people and we remain underdeveloped countries.
Well said.
Vote no ppl until they get rid of the governor general and the queen image off our money we are still not truly independent. Our government n 5he CCJ judges are friends. Look at the speech our pm give on independence day tell ppl to vote for CCJ. And then they tell me this is not a political vote. Please enlighten me Mr pm or his cult members
Vote for CCJ. Let us show the world we can do our own thing.
We are not independent. We can’t feed ourselves. We have no competitive advantage in regional trade. We have no unique resource (sun, sea and sand is Caribbean not Antiguan). We have bastardized our passport. The Queen is still head of state. Our money is pegged to the US Dollar.
We have so many more steps before we get to the “last vestige” of colonialism.
I sumetimes wander if all dem governments ‘ ministers wen them converse, dem plan de same ting fu dem citizens and nat to dem benefit?
Method of educational engagement on the issue-appears to be one-sided in both countries?
Yet I was very pleased to see and hear the citizenry of St. Vincent unafraid to air their views and concern and stance on the CCJ issue.
Wish I could say the same …
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