ALP Defends Failed Electoral Commission

Do you remember the anger and frustration that you and so many of your fellow countrymen felt on Election Day 2009? We were all angry and frustrated because of the long lines. We were all angry and frustrated that too many polling places didn't open on time.

The UPP Government feels your frustration and wants change - the ALP wants more of the same. The Antigua Sun reports:

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) is condemning statements made by the prime minister concerning the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) and their handling of the 2009 General Elections.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer at a town hall meeting in Piggott’s last Thursday (22 April) said the ruling of Justice Louise Blenman, that the late opening of the polls on Election Day (12 March) falls squarely at the feet of members of the Electoral Commission. The PM said that some action needed to be taken to avoid a reoccurrence of the situation.

One member of the five-member commission, Agnes Blaize, as a result of what was said tendered her resignation to Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack earlier this week.

The ALP said it is not pleased with what the prime minister’s call for members of the commission to resign and for the "supervisor of elections to demit office immediately."

It's outrageous that the ALP is defending the Electoral Commission. Do they not remember the long lines, the late openings and the anger and frustration that so many of us felt? Do they think that by leaving the same people in charge and not holding anyone accountable for their failure that we're going to change things? Ridiculous.

Of course we understand, honour and respect the independence of the Electoral Commission. But, we also believe in the simple notion of accountability. If you don't do your job properly, your boss will hold you accountable. It's clear that the Electoral Commission didn't do their jobs properly. But, it doesn't seem that the ALP wants to hold anyone accountable for their failure. How typical.