FINAL VERDICT

Prof. Ventose to be registered to vote

THE Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) yesterday ruled that Professor Eddy Ventose has qualified and is entitled to be registered to vote in the May 24 General Election.

This ruling was handed down by the Rt. Hon. Sir Dennis Byron, President of the CCJ, in an unprecedented Sunday hearing to clarify the right to vote in Barbados.Professor Ventose, a St. Lucian national who has lived in Barbados for several years, sought to be included on the Barbados electoral register.

He alleged that under the prevailing laws, he qualified and was entitled to be registered.

Sir Dennis, describing the case of Eddy David Ventose v. Chief Electoral Officer as “too important a matter affecting the state of Barbados”, made it clear that there will be no adjournments in the matter and revealed the decision just before 2 p.m. CCJ Judges on the panel were the Hon. Justice Adrian Saunders; the Hon. Justice David Hayton; the Hon. Justice Winston Anderson; and the Hon. Justice Denys Barrow.

“The long-standing policy of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission in relation to Commonwealth citizens to register as electors ... is unlawful and ultra vires.

“The Court is satisfied that on the basis of judicial findings pronounced in this matter, which have not been appealed, that the applicant has satisfied the necessary legal and regulatory conditions for registration as an elector,” Sir Dennis declared.

Moreover, he said that the Chief Electoral Officer shall register, or cause the applicant to be registered as an elector, before midday today, Monday, May 14, 2018.

The CCJ also ruled that if Ms. Angela Taylor does not comply with this order, she may be held to be in contempt of court and will be imprisoned and/or fined.

The Court of Appeal in Barbados on Monday, May 7 ruled that Professor Ventose was entitled to be registered to vote, but stopped short of compelling the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Angela Taylor, to do so. Instead, the Court ordered the CEO to determine Professor Ventose’s claim within 24 hours.

The reasons for the CCJ’s decision will be revealed later this week. (TL)

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