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| Mr. Lindsay F. P. Grant Political Leader of The People's Action Movement |
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, this press conference comes at what we feel is a critical juncture in the ongoing attempt by the government to ensure that the will of the people is stifled.
The Electoral Reform process has been the cornerstone of a public campaign by the People’s Action Movement throughout the tenure of this Administration but especially during the last seven years, because we feel that the current system has been corrupted beyond usefulness and threatens the principle of “one man, one vote.” This issue goes to the heart of our democracy and for this reason it must be ensured that any system that is implemented inspires the utmost confidence in all stakeholders.
The report of the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee (“The Archibald report”) highlights several of the concerns raised by the PAM at the very start of this process. We felt that it was a charade because of the stated contempt displayed by the Prime Minister and his deputy for any meaningful reform. It was obvious from the outset that the issuing of a White Paper which is a policy document rather than a Green Paper which is a consultation document indicated strongly that the process was intended to create an impression of commitment but it was all a mirage.
We questioned the large number of committees which were appointed entirely by the Government and filled with party hacks, persons depending on the Government for their livelihood and worst of all the Deputy Prime Minister was made chairman of the most important committee despite his threats to the residents of Cayon and Sandy Point and elsewhere to dilute their vote by gerrymandering the boundaries. For the last eight months we have called for the release of the report of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (“The Newton Report”) so that the public could review exactly how the Government analyzed the information it gleaned from the people and to see whether people’s views were dealt with adequately or at all. ~~Adz:Right~~
The absence of recognizably impartial persons and organizations spearheading this process and the fact that this Government has refused to put all relevant documents into the public domain typifies the complete lack of transparency in this process. The Commonwealth Assessment Mission produced a well researched framework for moving forward with this process that has been scorned by this Government, but the People’s Action Movement again reiterates its full endorsement of that plan and calls on the Government to implement it.
Without the release of “The Newton Report”, despite the lack of broad participation in the committees, despite the fact that the document has not received full support, after arrogantly refusing the generous offer of assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat, while the boundaries committee is yet to perform its duties “The Archibald Report” has been passed to the Parliamentary select Committee. This report highlights all the reasons why the PAM has refused to participate from the start. The most critical issue raised by the Commonwealth Assessment Mission and by the PAM has been the corrupted voters list and this report detail several ways by which the list will be made even worse.
The committee recommends that persons be able to register at embassies, consulates and missions abroad. It is impossible to say how much contempt this shows for the people of this Federation. Firstly it puts those of us living here at a distinct disadvantage because those living overseas are not subject to the requirement to be resident in a constituency. This will completely undermine the constituency system and dilute the votes of persons living here by skewing the result of the election and imposing representatives that the residents do not vote for. Secondly it deprives citizens of the right to object to persons on the voters list. Objections have to be made based on the failure of the person to satisfy the requirement of residence in a constituency. How will it be possible to object to persons who register overseas?
~~Adz:Left~~ It is clear that there will be no oversight by opposition parties of the voter registration process and the Government because of its control of foreign missions will be able to register anyone of its choice with impunity and foist these persons on the electorate. It is instructive to note that the report of the public consultations “The Newton Report” released andpublished by the Democrat showed that the vast majority of persons objected exactly to any overseas registration, but yet it shows up in “The Archibald Report”
The other important aspect of this report, “The Archibald Report” is the total silence on the issue of boundaries despite the fact that this committee was to consider this issue. What appears to be happening is that the Archibald Committee will be bypassed and the boundaries technical committee will go straight to the Parliamentary select committee. The constitution prescribes the exact process by which any changes to constituency boundaries are to be made. It provides for the appointment of a Constituency Boundaries Commission which is appointed by the Governor General not the Cabinet. It dictates how the five members are to be appointed and, specifically, the constitution states that it is the Commission not the Government that is charged with authority to appoint persons to perform any necessary functions such as for example surveying or demographic research.
It is clear that the Boundaries Technical Committee is unconstitutional. Since the Leader of the Opposition must recommend two members of the commission and agree with the person selected as Chairman it is clear that the Government’s deliberate subversion of the constitution is an attempt to further remove any chance of transparency in the process. It is a ploy to ensure only Government supporters make any decisions in this farce.
The intention of this Administration is clear. It will, if allowed, trample on the constitution, undermine the efficacy of the vote of those of us who must deal with the crime and high cost of living and poverty that Labour has inflicted upon this Federation, deprive citizens of the right to have any meaningful say in the process of elections by eliminating the right of objection and run roughshod over any opposition. To this the People’s Action Movement must again say no. We re – affirm our initial decision to refuse to participate in this process and welcome any similar decision from any stakeholder. None of us can afford to be complicit in the fraud that Labour is perpetrating against the people of St. Kitts & Nevis and calling Electoral Reform.
