Opposition leader requests observer missions for Antigua-Barbuda elections
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| Published on Monday, January 5, 2009 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: The political leader of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP), Lester Bird, has written to the Secretaries General of CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States and the Carter Center asking them to send missions to observe the next general elections in Antigua and Barbuda.
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| Leader of the Opposition and former prime minister Lester Bird |
In his letters, Bird claimed that the United Progressive Party (UPP) administration during the past five years has created an atmosphere of fear amongst the residents, and has instituted a vicious programme of intimidation of voters and widespread reports of bribery and intimidation.
Throughout the almost five years, the UPP government has denied the opposition access to the state-owned media, and journalists and broadcasters employed by the state-owned media are being heavily censored against their will, the former prime minister contended in his letter.
He also stated in his notes that the state apparatus is being abused and referred to detention by police, on instructions from government officials, of persons distributing an ALP newsletter, and said that the election campaign is being conducted as Antigua and Barbuda experiences the highest rate of crime in its history. In fact, he said, that on a per capital basis the country now has one of the highest crime rates.
The letter also stated that "the ALP has prided itself on a strict adherence to democratic principles particularly freedom of expression and free and fair elections."
It concluded by stating, "My party is aware that you will require UPP to accede to this request, and we are acutely conscious that its leadership may reject an Observer Mission from your organisation, but we believe that your presence in Antigua and Barbuda is essential if democracy and freedom are to be preserved. We urge you to send such a mission."
So far the election date has not been announced, but it is constitutionally due before the end of March this year. | | | | Reads : 833 | | | |
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