As Opposition leader was not consulted on ABEC-chair selection, Wehner considers appointment of Thomas illegal

The United Progressive Party’s mobilization officer, George Wehner,
sees the appointment of the new chairman of the Antigua and
Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), Arthur Thomas, as illegal.
 
Thomas was selected by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in
accordance with the law, to replace former Chair John Jarvis, who
died in January and was buried last week.
 
However, the law requires that this selection be made in
consultation with the leader of the Opposition, and this was not
done.

While Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle does not have to agree with
the selection, he was denied the opportunity to share his opinion
with the prime minister, Wehner and other critics note.
 
Prime Minister Browne, meanwhile, according to media reports, is
standing firm on his decision to select Thomas to head ABEC, in
spite of objections from the UPP.
 
The prime minister, defending Thomas, spoke about his integrity
and his decision to step down from previous roles as a sign of
commitment to preserving those organizations’ reputations.
 
Accordingly, Thomas was sworn in on Friday, February 16, during a
brief ceremony at Government House, attended by his family and
friends.
 
Wehner says this is typical of how PM Browne runs the country, as
he continues to squeeze the lifeblood out of the people.
 
He likens Browne’s attitude to an alleged snake that has been
terrorizing a Pattersons farmer and killing his pigs by squeezing
them to death.

UPP Mobilization Officer George Wehner.