ST. JOHN’s, Antigua (December 28, 2023)—Fifty-three candidates—17 on the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) ticket, 16 apiece on the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) tickets, three independents and one from the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM)—were nominated on Wednesday’s Nomination Day in Antigua and Barbuda.
The early highlights of the day were the various party caravans that accompanied candidates of the two major parties to the nomination sites and, as dusk came, reports of challenges against the ABLP’s Rawdon Turner and the UPP’s Kelvin Simon.
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) confirmed the list of nominees on Wednesday night, also refusing to be drawn into the challenge salvos.
Responding to a question from Dadli Media Pop Up, ABEC noted, “All the candidates were duly nominated as the Returning Officers have certified the nominations. Any challenges are by way of an Election Petition, in the court of law.”
With the UPP, attorneys acting for a registered elector in St. Mary’s South, Casworth Aaron, wrote to Supervisor of Electors Dame Lorna Simon, contending that Simon’s nomination contravenes the Civil Service Act, which states that “a civil servant is disqualified for membership of the Senate or the House of Representative, or any local government body.”
But Simon shot back Wednesday night, telling Dadli Media Pop Up that he is standing on the Constitution and that the Act speaks specifically to elections—21 days away—and not Nomination Day.
“It’s nonsensical by any stretch of the imagination because it is not supported by the Constitution. The constitution speaks about my election as a candidate and not nomination, so that claim can’t stand,” Simon said.
He said the UPP previously discussed the matter, concluding that he would resign before January 18, 2023, and could do so with immediate effect, suffering no penalty.
Political Leader of the UPP Harold Lovell, who is an attorney by profession, supported Simon, noting that the Section 10 of the Civil Service Act and Section 39 (1) A of the Constitution bear out the party’s contention.
“No person shall be eligible to be elected not nominated,” Lovell said. “When you are nominated, you become a candidate.”
He went further, noting that the “Privy Council struck down Section 10 (of the Civil Service Act) for over-breadth… It says a civil servant but did not distinguish between a civil servant who is a cook, a junior clerk, a truck driver as opposed to who is a permanent secretary or a chief technical officer working closely with a minister.
”We are comfortable,” Lovell said. “If they go from the angle of Civil Service Act, we can attack it constitutionally or we can attack it on the basis of the plain meaning of the words stated there. (Simon) is not a member of the House, he is a candidate… we have always said he would resign before the election.”
Meanwhile, Asot Michael, the St Peter incumbent whose court challenge and reported success failed to reverse his expulsion from the ABLP on whose ticket he’s won the seat for the last four elections, released a statement saying he will not relent in his challenge.
Referencing the case, Michael said, “I have the benefit of an order that Rawdon Turner is not duly appointed under the constitution of the ABLP.”
Michael countered the ABLP’s response, which said the party amended its constitution and was therefore not in contempt of court, calling the process of amendment unconstitutional.
“The constitution mandates that where changes to the Constitution are to be made, 45 days’ notice must be given to each member. No such notice was ever given to anyone,” his statement read.
“I shall bring contempt of court proceedings against any and/or all electoral officials who facilitates (sic) a breach of the High Court Order,” he continued.
But the plot twist is interesting, with the ABLP also contending that anyone who runs as an independent automatically self-expels. Though Michael was nominated as an independent candidate, he maintains that he is still very much a member of the ABLP.
“Of course, I’m a member of the (Antigua & Barbuda) Labour Party,” Michael told Dadli Media Pop Up on Wednesday. It is his belief that the ABLP is a strong brand. “I support the Labour Party and I always will. I’m born into the bowels of the Labour Party, but Gaston Browne has forgotten where he has come from, and it is a burning shame.”
But back to the 53 nominees.
The ABLP and candidates are known to the public either by incumbency or other public profiles. The UPP’s slate is also known thanks to an early jump on campaigning more than one year ago. A handful of the DNA candidates, including the leader, have some name recognition, while the majority are political freshmen. The independents are Anderson Carty (St. John’s Rural West), Gail Pero-Weston (St. John’s Rural South) and Michael (St. Peter).
