By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Minnis administration has amended the Parliamentary Elections Act through an Emergency Powers Order to allow an advanced poll in Barbados to be rescheduled.
The order, released yesterday, says: “For the purpose of the advanced poll to be held in Barbados on the 9 day of September, 2021, for persons voting as overseas voters pursuant to section 49A(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the circumstances requiring the designated president officer to be quarantined in Barbados by the pandemic restrictions of that country and not available on that date shall be deemed to be circumstances beyond the control of the presiding officer which make it impracticable to take the poll on the designated date.
“Section 50 of the Parliamentary Elections Act is hereby modified for the purposes of paragraph (1) as if a reference to the words ‘continue the taking of the poll on that day, he may adjourn the proceedings until the following day’ includes a reference to the words ‘the taking of the poll on that day, he may reschedule the proceedings to the following day.’”
Yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell, the PLP’s candidate for the Fox Hill constituency, said his party will refer the matter to its lawyers to determine the legality of the move.
“The test for us with these emergency orders is whether or not it is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society,” he said. “There is an even more stringent test when it comes to tinkering with election laws. Given the government’s history of sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors, we immediately referred this to our lawyers.”
Comments
mandela 2 years, 8 months ago
Wow! well how many voters are there in Barbados to have a day altered specifically for them to vote, and the chances of voting while in quarantine in the Bahamas has not been planed, looked at, and considered realistically.
Must_Be_Nice 2 years, 8 months ago
Prior to the pandemic and virtual learning, there were at least 80 students studying and registered as Bahamians abroad with the UWI. There are also Bahamians working overseas. So who knows, can be more or less given people are working remotely now.
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 8 months ago
So if they could do this why couldn't they do an at home vote for quarantined persons? Or allow anyone on the register who was registered in abaco or grand Bahama to vote wherever they are?
TalRussell 2 years, 8 months ago
Lots of questions aren't being asked: (1). Exactly, how many in total are there of other countries where Early Poll Day is being held? (2)The combined costs in total? (3). How many eligible to vote Bahamalanders, reside in each country? (4). How many warm bodies are required for the physical setup and conducting of each and all the Early Poll Days?
Now, returning back to on the ground in Barbados. Going to presume that the designated presiding officer quarantined in Barbados by the pandemic restrictions of that country is a native Bahamalander. Yes? — And, did they travel to Barbados — or was already in Barbados, Yes? — and disclose exactly why it came to be that the designated presiding officer is quarantined, — Yes?
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