BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SITTING judge Her Ladyship Marlene Carter declared today (Jan. 23) that the Electoral Commission should not produce any advertisement or take any action concerning new boundaries until further order of the Court is given.
Yesterday, when counsel for parties involved in the injunction case appeared before the Court to forward arguments on the whether or not it should be discharged, counsel for the Opposition Christopher Hamel-Smith SC told the Court that it had been brought to their attention that the Electoral Commission had published messages indicating that the Elections would proceed on the new boundaries.
Her Ladyship had required that Anthony Astaphan QC, counsel for the Government, approach the Attorney General for him to advise the Electoral Commission to desist from making such publications.
This morning, Justice Carter informed that the Electoral Commission did agree to cease and desist from making any advertisement or taking any steps concerning new boundaries until the matter has been resolved or until the Court so orders.
The injunction was obtained on Friday evening (Jan. 16) and was designed to prevent the Parliament from making use of the Constituency Boundaries Commission’s most recent Report for the realignment of boundaries in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Yesterday, Her Ladship heard hours of arguments presented by both sides and indicated that it is a very serious matter that must be given proper consideration. The judge said she would deliver her judgment on that matter on Tuesday (Jan. 27) at 2:00 p.m.
