BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS Raphael Archibald has ordered that the names removed “without due process” from the Voters List in Nevis be restored.
In a statement issued earlier today (Jan. 18), Archibald explained that the issue of removal of names was brought to his attention and following a review of the circumstances under which the names were removed and “the due process principles established recently by the decision of Mr. Justice Lionel Jones and affirmed by the Court of Appeal,” he has taken the decision to have them returned to the List.
“I believe that in view of the facts I have discovered and the requirements for personal service and the provision of proper and adequate notice to those persons whose names are being objected to and may have been removed, and after having obtained appropriate legal advice, I believe I am obliged to issue a supplementary list to reinstate the names of all the persons who have been removed from the Register of Voters in 2012 without due process.”
The Supervisor of Elections advised that following the reinstatement of the names, persons with objections could “re-activate” the objection process that is “consistent with the due process principles identified by the Courts”.
Archibald elucidated and advised that his decision “does not mean and must not be interpreted to mean that I accept that those persons are lawfully resident or registered in any particular constituency”.
He however noted that the sole determinant was that these removals are characterised by “due process flaws” similar to those frowned upon by the Court.
Archibald said he has also given the directive for “the names of all persons who have applied for transfers to other constituencies be effected and a supplementary list reflecting these transfers by publishes as well”.
