Commonwealth citizens win right to vote

Thirteen of the 14 claimants that contested their right to vote in the upcoming 2018 Barbados General Elections were successful yesterday.

Following a near nine-hour day in court, Michelle Russell, Attorney-at-Law, told media that she was very glad with the outcome.

“The claimants were able to be verified and they will be registered at the appropriate time and other people who were recently verified would have to be added,” she said.

“I would like to add some small thanks to Mr. Smith because his involvement really did get some momentum that we were not able to get before.”

Russell attributed the stretched-out day to them waiting on information from the Immigration Department to verify the residency of the Commonwealth citizens.

“Based on their assertions it seems that Immigration may have delayed in providing the information, but I would personally like to thank Miss Elaine McDonald, the Assistant Immigration Chief, who came down to assist us in verifying a number of the claimants and that really helped to fast forward the activities,” she said.

“At least 13 out of the 14 claimants would have been registered, but there were additional persons who were not named in the action who, as far as I know, are being updated as I speak. So the list is being updated as we speak.”

She explained that the list should be finalised today, and noted that after this, they will no longer be “tarrying any further with the Electoral Office”.

Larry Smith, Q.C., attorney-at-law, told the media that it has always been the position of his client to ensure that persons who were eligible to be registered to vote, were registered.

“That has always been the position of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission. I think it has been unfortunate in some quarters that some have thought that there has been some attempt or some move afoot to somehow lead people off the list or disenfranchise persons, but nothing is further from the truth.”

Meanwhile, earlier yesterday morning, during the opening ceremony of the Barbados Bar Association Whitsun Weekend Law Conference 2018, Honourable Chief Justice of Barbados, Sir Marston Gibson, contended that contrary to popular belief, the courts were “not always slow”, as these cases were filed on Thursday evening around three and he was rushing off to hear said cases yesterday morning at 11. (CLF)