Fellow Citizens and Residents of Antigua and Barbuda, we now
know the decision of the Court of Appeal in respect of the litigations covering
the ‘Boundaries’ and the ‘Re-registration of Voters’ for the upcoming General
Elections that should have been held already. In as much as we disagree with
the finding of the Court of Appeal, in the re-registration case, that the 2010
Act altered existing rights prospectively and not retrospectively, we still
respect the decision of the Court. Had time permit, we could have considered
appealing the decision.
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party feels vindicated with
the decision of the Court of appeal on the boundaries matter. We won and we won
fairly. It is clear that had the member appointed by the former Leader of the
Opposition acted in good conscience, we would also have succeeded on the ground
of gerrymandering.
Mr. Spencer and his cohorts attempted to impugn the Court –
which included Her Ladyship, The Chief Justice – with improper motives, because
it set today as the date for the delivery of its decision.
This timing of the decision is well within the 90-day
standard set by the Privy Council for such urgent matters. The Court did all it
could to expedite the hearing of the two matters, granting urgent hearings, in
St. Kitts and St. Lucia, weeks ahead of its scheduled March sitting here in
Antigua and Barbuda.
The Labour Party also expedited the hearing by withdrawing
its request for injunctive relief for both cases. The Antigua and Barbuda
Labour party acted responsibly and in the protection of our people and our
democracy. It is evident, that the court acted independently and responsibly
without any partisan considerations, adjudicating these litigations in
accordance with the law.
The allegations of improper motive were therefore, unfounded
and we trust that the Prime Minister in particular, will in the future, treat
the court with respect and civility. His disrespect for the Court, while in
keeping with the disgraceful character of his regime, is most unfortunate.
It was always in the power of the Prime Minister to prorogue
Parliament, so the decision of the Court to give their judgement after the
automatic dissolution of Parliament, had no bearing on the Prime Minister’s
abdication of his responsibility, to dissolve the Parliament and to set the
date for the elections. He chose not to do so, just as he chose to try to
hijack the general elections by waiting until the 11th hour to change the
electoral boundaries and the voters’ register.
Prime Minister Spencer had five years to do so. Any
miscalculations in the time required to effect these changes and to ensure the
readiness of the Electoral Commission are exclusively his responsibility. By
delaying, he was convinced that he could force through these wicked acts at the
eleventh hour in an attempt to steal the elections.
But, he did not count on the vigilance of the Antigua and
Barbuda Labour Party and its unflinching resolve, to protect the political
rights of the people and the democratic system that our forefathers fought to
establish as our heritage.
Citizens and residents, the matter of the ‘Boundaries’ and
the ‘Electoral Register’ are now behind us. What is ahead of us is a general
election, the swift holding of which the people of our beloved country have
every right to demand.
Mr. Spencer must place the authority for a functioning and
mandated government where it rightfully and properly belongs – and that is in
the hands of the electorate. Therefore, I call on Mr. Spencer to stop dithering
and to release the reins of government that are now, no longer his to hold. I
call upon Mr. Spencer to set the date of the elections now. No more excuses
will suffice – call the elections now. I also warn him and his regime that they
are nothing more than a caretaker government.
In other words, on behalf of the people of Antigua and
Barbuda, I caution Mr. Spencer, the UPP, and their politically-controlled
Electoral Commission, not to interfere in the work of the Supervisor of
Elections or we will seek legal redress from the Court to restrain them.
The people of our country have had enough of the antics,
deceptions and delays of Spencer to prolong his Government’s period in office
that has brought this nation nothing but misery, oppression and destruction.
Our people want free and fair general elections now. They want to get on with
the advancement of their lives under a competent government that they would
elect and give a mandate to govern.
I, therefore, call on Mr. Spencer, once again, to call the
elections now. The country is suffering and the people have had enough. Call
the elections now. I thank you.
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