REAL NEWS – The Lower House of Parliament is now set to convene on Thursday, July 27 – and not on Tuesday, as first announced – and a resolution to appoint a new supervisor of elections is expected to be debated.
Ian Hughes, the human resource and training officer at the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), was recommended for the position by Dame Lorna Simon before she retired from the post she held for over three decades.
It is widely believed that the Browne Administration will give him the nod.
In the meantime, Leon Chaku Symister, the United Progressive Party (UPP) spokesperson on legal matters, says he is concerned about the secrecy surrounding the selection.
He believes that, prior to taking a Resolution to the House, the names of those under consideration for the post should have been circulated to the public.
Since a by-election is pending in St. Mary’s South, a supervisor of elections – who is vested with the authority to oversee all elections – must be in place.
To fill the vacancy, a Resolution must be taken in Parliament, with a Member proposing the nominee, who must be seconded before the debate gets underway and the vote is taken.
However, Symister says he has not heard the names of any other nominees for the post being circulated.
Accordingly, the UPP spokesperson is curious to find out whether the appointment will be a temporary one or permanent.
In his view, it is important that the appointment be permanent in the interest of security of tenure.
Therefore, he says that Thursday’s appointment of a new supervisor of elections should be permanent – unless a search is going to be conducted for someone else to fill the post.
Meanwhile, there are allegations that Dame Lorna will be brought back to preside over the by-election, since she has not reached the official retirement age of 75 years.
Reportedly, she left the post early in order to enjoy her retirement in good health.
Symister says he has not heard this rumour; but if Simon had reached retirement age it would take an act of Parliament to bring her back. Dame Lorna proceeded on retirement in May this year.
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Hope the seabond are false teeth glue not messing wit he head
Chaku (WAKU ) be sure YOUR FALSE teeth PLATE is secured to avoid falling from your mouth. Please remember to hem your pants to avoid you walking on your pants foot. Worthless Guy.
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Miss knight say Joan sell greasy burger
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