UPP Seeks legal advice to address voter padding claims by PM Browne

The United Progressive Party (UPP) has sought legal advice on what actions, if any, can be taken at this stage to challenge alleged voter padding statements by the country’s prime minister.

PM Gaston Browne on the weekend on his affiliated radio station said that voters were transferred from out of his constituency into other areas to allow his Antigua Labour Party candidates to have a better chance at defeating their UPP opponents at the polls.

During the January 18 General Elections there were a number of close results including that of former political leader Harold Lovell, who was defeated by just over five votes by the ALP candidate Melford Nicholas.

Damani Tabor, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Party says it is disgraceful that none of the prime minister’s Cabinet colleagues or members of the ALP have publicly come out to condemn his statement.

Tabor confirmed that legal advice is being sought on the matter since the time prescribed by law for a challenge to the election has apparently passed.

The Party is reportedly looking at other ways to have the matter brought before a court of law.

Meanwhile, Tabor says that the UPP is joining others in the call for the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) to launch an investigation into the prime minister’s statement.