BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HON. Mark Brantley, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Federal Parliament, repeated his call for general elections to be held without delay and urged the government to avoid using Parliament to score political points.
At yesterday’s (Nov. 5) sitting of the National Assembly, the Nevisian Parliamentarian joined debate on the National Assembly Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2009, which mandates that candidates seeking election to Parliament must swear an oath on Nomination Day to a Returning Officer that confirms they have met all constitutional prerequisites.
These exclusions, which can be found in Section 28 of the Constitution, include bankruptcy, being certifiably insane, and serving as a minister of religion or having allegiance to a foreign power or state. A candidate who lies about any of these qualifications is liable to a severe fine and a temporary ban on political nomination.
Brantley registered his serious concerns with the Bill, but not before calling on his colleagues to “do the right thing”.
“We have not come to Parliament with matters that are engaging and wholesome. Some are here to seek some advantage in the context of politics. What starts wrong usually ends wrong,” he noted. “And what is not motivated by lofty ideals, but instead partisan political ideals tends ultimately to get us into the kind of pickle we find ourselves today.”
“I am left to ask what we are seeking to achieve as a Parliament. We must do what is right, not what is politically expedient. It has been five years since the last election, and we still have no idea when the next one will be so that the mandate of this Parliament can be renewed. Let us call the elections and get on with it,” he added.
The Bill first came under scrutiny in July when Parliament passed an amendment stating the oath would only relate to a candidate’s citizenship status. Opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM) challenged the move and the case is currently being heard in the High Court.
Brantley’s points of contention are that the new amendment gives Returning Officers powers that are unconstitutional, and that the Constitution does not require candidates to swear an oath. The Opposition Leader noted he had raised the same concerns in July, only to be ignored by other Parliamentarians.
“I am concerned because I think this law is a bad law. It was a bad law in July and it still is now. We are seeking to do in Parliament what goes beyond the Constitution. It is clear as to who’s qualified or not. Nowhere in the Constitution is anyone required to swear an oath,” Brantley argued.
He added: “It puts us in the position where an aspect of the political process is put on perpetual hold, because the court is likely to be moved again. We have no control over the court; we can’t make it deliver its decision swiftly. So why are we risking it and heading down this path?”
Despite Brantley’s objections, the Bill was passed yesterday without any amendments. Parliament has been adjourned until Thursday, November 12.
