The Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal today ruled in favour of the Antigua government in an election petition case.
In March, a High Court judge had created uncertainty by declaring the election of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and two of his ministers invalid, citing irregularities on election day the year before.
The ruling threatened the future of the Spencer administration, which effectively controls 10 of the 17 seats in parliament.
The government, which controlled 10 of the 17 seats in Parliament appealed and the appeal court threw out the lower court ruling today. An adverse ruling could have forced new elections or caused a constitutional crisis.
Spencer in an address to Antiguans today said
“With today’s Appeal Court ruling, the clear majority support in the House of Representatives for the governing United Progressive Party remains intact. This verdict confirms the legal arguments of the UPP that despite the admitted late opening of some polling stations on Election Day, the result of the elections reflected the will of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
He said that the UPP-led Government remains committed to the democratic principles “we have inherited, to the rule of law, and to good governance. During our years in office, we have passed more laws to safeguard these democratic principles than any other Government in the history of our twin-island nation. “
The PM added that the “independence of the judiciary, which the countries of the OECS share, is enshrined in our constitutional arrangements. This independence of the courts continues to be honoured, respected and defended by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and by the United Progressive Party.”
The court challenge had been instituted by the Antigua Labour Party.
