Wide-ranging proposals to improve Anguilla’s electoral laws were set out by the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee when they met the Governor and Deputy Governor on Friday 14 October.
Established by the Government last year, the Committee have been taking a fresh and hard look at Anguilla’s electoral laws, building on recommendations made both by the Supervisor of Elections and the independent Election Monitors following the election in April 2015. The Committee’s work has been running in parallel to their work to modernise Anguilla’s Constitution.
The proposals include establishing a new voters list, as well as a series of measures designed to strengthen the overall process of voter registration, introduce voter registration cards, and clarify campaign financing. There are also suggestions for ensuring a more equal franchise by reviewing constituency boundaries, as well as steps to strengthen the role and responsibilities of the Supervisor of Elections and the Central Electoral Office.
Justice Don Mitchell QC, Chair of the Committee said:
“There is widespread demand in the community for electoral reform. Both the leadership of the present Administration and the past agree that reform is essential. The Committee has been receiving and discussing proposals over the past year, in public meetings, radio talk-shows, by email, and in person, in addition to considering proposals carried over from past reform projects. We shall shortly be publishing our proposals for electoral reform, so that we can continue to receive comments and suggestions.”
Commenting, the Governor, Ms Christina Scott said:
“I warmly welcome these proposals and the careful consultative process that the Committee has been through in preparing them. I look forward to working with Executive Council as they consider and implement necessary enhancements to electoral laws at the earliest opportunity. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Justice Mitchell and the Committee members for the hard work to get the proposals to this advanced stage.
In addition, due to other issues impacting operations at the office from which voter registration has previously been conducted, I am working with the Supervisor of Elections to implement an interim solution enabling the continuous registration of voters to a high standard. It is better that any measures be done properly and thoughtfully, rather than quickly, and I would ask the public’s forbearance as arrangements are put in place.”
The draft proposals for electoral reform will be discussed at St Augustine’s Anglican Church on Thursday 27 October at 6:30 pm.
Members of the public will shortly be able to access the Committee’s draft proposals on the Government of Anguilla, the House of Assembly, and the Central Electoral Office websites. You are encouraged to download and print your copy of the Draft Bill when it becomes available in a few days time, and to study it with a view to attending the public meeting and making your views known to the Committee.
The final proposals will be considered by Executive Council later in November.
– Press Release
Governor’s Office Anguilla
