PM Browne says he will consult before making any decision on diaspora vote in general election

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Prime Minister Gaston Browne has been responding to concerns about restrictions placed on Antiguans overseas to vote in general elections.

Browne says there are two main concerns which he must consult on before making any changes to the law.

Listen to him here:

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14 COMMENTS

  1. First foreign criminals are given the right to vote, now they want people who don’t even live on the island? What utter nonsense! Only Antiguans who live in Antigua should have the vote.

    • @Mr Byam…utter nonsense is the best way, to describe your comment referencing Antiguans, Barbudans and Redondans who reside in the diaspora, and their ability to vote in the Nation’s General Elections.

      If, it wasn’t for these same Nationals in the diaspoara shipping thousands of barrels home during the pandemic, to help ease the stress, one can only speculate on the mayhem which would have ensued, without such immediate, and continued support from Nationals in the diaspora.

      Lest you forget, and I hope, that you don’t suffer from amnesia, where in #HELL was the stimulus packages by the Government?
      Did they offer any, besides some seeds, seedlings, highly processed Chinese foods, Vienna sausages etc?

      The Nation is woefully lacking, in #accountability, something many in the diaspora would be too happy to address. This is the biggest fear which many in Antigua are worried about, because, many of those crooks would’ve already being convicted, serving time in prison and even their hidden assets forfeited to the State.

      U cyan guarne, puck-ah-puckah and sing de Chuups hook. Time langah than rope!

      • It is for the people who live here to hold the government to account because it is people who live here who will have to live with the consequences of bad governance. When the ALP’s foreign criminals are running riot, you’ll be in England with the brexiteers. Sending your mother a barrel doesn’t entitle you to special treatment.

        • @Mr Byam…”special treatment” is not something, I stick my hand out to receive.
          I make mines the old fashion way, “I eaaarrrrnn it!”
          As for my mother, she’s 93years young, haven’t lived in Antigua for the last 50 plus years but will give you the history of Our family from the Wheelwright who was brought from England to English Harbour by Nelson, and began having children with the African.

          I just had a grandbaby born in Antigua, in addition to other personal and business matters.

          Talking for talking sake with sound bites don’t phase me.

          As for Antiguans in Antigua holding the Ruling Arm of the Government accountable…I won’t even say, that the joke’s on Antiguans living hand to mouth with your nemesis #da Foreigners hot on their asses.
          You have given away the best lands and resources to foreigners. The Tourism Industry is loaded with foreigners, so to is the Public Sector.

          So, please Byam, take a look around you and see who’re the real foreigners. I won’t even mention, the rise of the Lebanese, Serian and Santo Dominicans on the backs of the indigenous Antiguans.

          As, a Jamaican said to a crowd at Customs Deep Water Harbour in 2001, Antiguans Saff to Rass.

          Now, here comes the Chinese and this is a Royal Screwing with a #Sting-Ray Lance which you cannot avoid. BTW – the sting-ray Lance can only be removed after insertion, by meticulous emergency surgery!

    • you have no problem with commonwealth citizens not born in antigua being able to vote, while not being a citizen? Some not even working and making any contribution to the country.
      In the meantime antigans who navel string bury therec can’t vote, but people from the Dominican Republic can stay in Antigua and vote back home.

  2. PM Browne says he will consult before making any decision on diaspora vote in general election. Yeah right, first he needs to determine if the ‘diaspora’s’ numbers are large enough to influence the outcome of the election.

  3. I am an Antiguan abroad and completely disagree that those in the diaspora should be given a vote. Why should I have a say when I am not there to feel the consequences? I can vote again when I move back.

  4. I personally disagree with the diaspora having a vote. Yes you may say they have family residing here and they are looking out for their interest etc but the reality is these people in the diaspora dont vote based on policies they vote based on party.

  5. NO ANTIGUAN LIVING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY SHOULD EVER BE ABLE TO VOTE IN ANTIGUA’S ELECTION…..ILLEGALS … PERMANENT RESIDENTS…AMERICAN / DUAL CITIZENS ….NON OF THEM…. IF YOU WANT TO VOTE GO LIVE PERMANENTLY IN ANTIGUA…

    WE SEE PERSONS LIIVING IN AMERICAN…CANADA…ENGLAND AND EU…coming to antigua to vote THEN LEAVE ……IF YOU SO WANT A SAY IN THE GOVERNANCE OF ANTIGUA LIVE THERE.
    AS A PREVIOUS BLOGGER SAID IF GASTON SEE THERES A LARGE PERCENTAGE WHO WANT TO VOTE “LABOR”HE WILL CREATIVELY MAKE IT HAPPEN…… to vote in ANTIGUA YOU SHOULD LIVE THERE PERNMANENTLY FOR 5 CONSECTATIVE YRS.

    I THINK DUAL CITIZENSHIP NEEDS TO STOP YOU CANT PLEDGE ALLIGIANCE TO 2 flags…

    • franz has an AMERICAN PASSPORT like Missa Knight? Knight PUBLICLY DECLARED that an Antigua and Barbuda passport is of NO VALUE TO HIM because he already pledged allegiance to Trump country.

      Remember the dumbo head that wanted to start a blue-chicken farm and took over from Joan Underwood? You think he had a u.s. passport?

  6. T think this will take more than a consultation. It will take a referendum. Because you cannot only favor Antiguans in the USA. What about those in other countries of the world? And the cost of doing such an undertaking is very high. Can we afford that? Do Antiguans in the various diaspora contribute to the economic wellbeing of the country, other than those that send remittances to take care of family members. Such as their parents they left behind. I know Antigua doesn’t have PIT. But even when we did, we never went after Antiguans income living overseas. While in the USA, Canada, and many European countries the go after the income of all citizens worldwide. And where there is no Tax Treaty, citizens with dual citizenship must pay twice their taxes. Especially USA citizens. Uncle Sam doesn’t second. I quite understand the sentiments involved, but we really give it some serious thought.

    • @From The Sidelines…the Embassies could be used along with mailing ballots or in person voting depending on where you reside!

      Many still have property(s) and businesses in Antigua or Barbuda, pay taxes yet, don’t reside in the Nation.

      It’s time for the discussion.

      • Who would ensure that fraud will not happen? Embassies are staffed by the party in power. Antiguans abroad should only vote if they live in Antigua the required period and register and vote in Antigua.

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