BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 19TH 2009 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says several allegations brought by the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) against his Government have been rejected by the High Court.
“The Claimants, the Honourable Shawn Richards and Lindsay Grant alleged that their rights under sections 3 and 10 of the Constitution and the actions of my Government were in breach of their rights to free and fair elections and the protection of the law. These allegations were all rejected by the Honourable Court,” said Prime Minister Douglas in a brief statement Monday afternoon.
Dr. Douglas pointed out that no action of his Government denied them the right to free and fair elections.
“No action of my Government denied them the protection of the law. Let me repeat, the Honourable Court also rejected that allegation,” said Dr. Douglas, who further pointed out that their claim to the right to be heard and consulted was also rejected.
“The Honourable Court also rejected this allegation and expressly ruled that the Claimants Honourable Shawn Richards and Lindsay Grant ‘have no right to be heard or consulted in the making of recommendations by the Commission and even if they had, it was waived by their refusal to take part in the Electoral Reform Process’,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
Dr. Douglas pointed out also that PAM argued strenuously that the Chairman of the Constituency Boundaries Commission ought not to have given him a copy of the Report before submitting it to the Governor General “but His Lordship the Honourable Justice Thomas rejected this allegation by treating it as being insignificant.”
The Prime Minister said his Government will continue to abide and follow the Rule of Law.
“The rejection of PAM’s allegations by the Court demonstrates that all along PAM, spearheaded by the Honourable Shawn Richards and Lindsay Grant, was seeking to delay the calling of the General Elections given their state of unreadiness for the elections,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said it was important to note that, even now, the second injunction obtained by the PAM prevents the calling of General Elections.
“My Government will continue to obey the law and honour our oath to uphold the Constitution,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said the Attorney General and the Legal Team are now in consultations on the way forward.
The Judge in his ruling found that the Report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission was “technically flawed” because outlined the procedure proper procedures that ought to have been followed.
