The Nation’s Electoral Commission No Longer in Limbo

The Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) is no longer in limbo. Former chairman Juno Samuel was on Monday reappointed as chairman of the electoral commission. Nathaniel Paddy James has been reappointed as Deputy Chairman, with Anthonyson King as a commissioner. The re-appointments come after August 1, when Prime Minister Dr. the hon. Baldwin Spencer signed a new Order giving effect to the amendment to the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2011. The new Order became necessary on May 20, when the Eastern Caribbean Appellate Court declared null and void the 2012 Order by the prime minister, which changed the composition of The Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission from December 22, 2011. An Act to validate ABEC’s actions and decisions between December 22, 2011 and May 20, 2013 took effect July 31. After two months of the Electoral Commission halting work, Chairman Juno Samuel is ready to get on with the process of the re-registration of voters before the next election, which is constitutionally due in early 2014