CCM’s Leader Believes Election Petition Ruling Will be Upheld

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Published on Sunday, 08 July 2012 11:34

Written by Jacque Bryan

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Basseterre, St. Kitts:  Former Premier and Leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance Amory, is expressing confidence that the Appeal Court will uphold the decision made by Justice Lionel Jones S.C. that declared the election results in Nevis District #2 null and void.

“From my standpoint, not being versed in the law, but judging from the initial hearing….and what transpired yesterday (Friday 6, July)….my feeling is that the decision of the trial judge will be upheld.  I say that and clearly those who have different agendas or different objectives may disagree with me,” Mr. Amory.

Mr. Amory was a guest on WINN FM98.9’s Inside the News program on Saturday when he made the comments.  He added that after the decision was made he was uncertain as to what would happen next but stated categorically that in his opinion a bi-election would be best for all concerned.

“A waffling attempt to defend or to have the decision of Justice Jones thrown out by the attorneys for the claimants or the appellants, I believe in my humble opinion….and I said one does not want to preempt the judges’ decision, but based on my observation and what I heard I believe the decision of Justice Jones will be upheld and then what transpires after that will depend on what the Judges say and what the Constitution dictates and what will happen….I think we are all expecting to have at least a bi-election….” 

The Deputy Leader for the CCM, Mark Brantley, lost District #2 – St. Johns – by 14 votes to the Nevis Reformation Party’s Deputy Leader, Hensley Daniel.  Mr. Brantley filed an election petition before the high court charging that the outcome of the poll was affected by widespread irregularities including the removal of some 200 previously registered voters from the Voters List.  

Following a 2-week trial in January, Justice Lionel Jones S.C. declared that the Nevis Island Assembly Election for the Constituency of St. Johns was invalid and void.  The matter is being appealed by Mr. Daniel and respondents Bernadette Lawrence the Registration Officer in Nevis, Leroy Benjamin the Supervisor of Elections and Premier Joseph Parry.  

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