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A FRESH and fierce row has erupted in Antigua and Barbuda over new registration of voters for a general election, not constitutionally due before March next year, but with a snap poll widely expected. In contrast to traditional verbal clashes between the governing United Progressive Party (UPP) of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP), now under the leadership of Gaston Browne, the current row involves one of two commissioners of the country’s Electoral Commission, Juno Samuel.
As a consequence of political and legal challenges, the Antigua and Barbuda Commission is currently functioning without a chairman in place. In addition to Samuel, the other commissioner is David Kelsick.
The controversy centres around a controversial interpretation of the People (Amendment) Act of 2011 in the registration process for a new national poll, with the ALP leader accusing Commissioner Samuel, to be wrong and seemingly acting on behalf of Prime Minister Spencer’s party in his interpretation of the new legislation.
In a letter forwarded to Commissioner Samuel, ALP leader Browne strongly objected to what he claims to be a deliberate misinterpretation of the Validating Act of 2013 to require “re-registration of eligible voters as soon as the new Act comes into effect.
The ALP leader contends that “only those potential electors who are, for the first time, applying for inclusion on the national register when it becomes effective, ”can lawfully and constitutionally be subjected to the requirement of the 2013 Act.”
Angered by the letter from the ALP leader, Commissioner Samuel fired back a response in which he stressed, “I have no intention of tolerating interference in the activities of the Commission by anyone…and I will not be intimidated”. He further charged that the Opposition Leader was being “offensive”.
The ALP has already signalled its intention to resort to the court for an interpretation of the 2013 Act should the Electoral Commssion, as currently composed, go ahead with its misinterpretation in the new registration process.
As a consequence of political and legal challenges, the Antigua and Barbuda Commission is currently functioning without a chairman in place. In addition to Samuel, the other commissioner is David Kelsick.
The controversy centres around a controversial interpretation of the People (Amendment) Act of 2011 in the registration process for a new national poll, with the ALP leader accusing Commissioner Samuel, to be wrong and seemingly acting on behalf of Prime Minister Spencer’s party in his interpretation of the new legislation.
In a letter forwarded to Commissioner Samuel, ALP leader Browne strongly objected to what he claims to be a deliberate misinterpretation of the Validating Act of 2013 to require “re-registration of eligible voters as soon as the new Act comes into effect.
The ALP leader contends that “only those potential electors who are, for the first time, applying for inclusion on the national register when it becomes effective, ”can lawfully and constitutionally be subjected to the requirement of the 2013 Act.”
Angered by the letter from the ALP leader, Commissioner Samuel fired back a response in which he stressed, “I have no intention of tolerating interference in the activities of the Commission by anyone…and I will not be intimidated”. He further charged that the Opposition Leader was being “offensive”.
The ALP has already signalled its intention to resort to the court for an interpretation of the 2013 Act should the Electoral Commssion, as currently composed, go ahead with its misinterpretation in the new registration process.
