Pringle points out breach of law to Sir Rodney and asks that he revoke appointment of Arthur Thomas as ABEC Chairman

In his capacity as Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Jamale Pringle
has written to His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor-
General, requesting that he revoke the appointment of Ambassador
Arthur Thomas as Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral
Commission (ABEC).

The request was made on the ground that the requirement for
consultation between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the
Opposition was not met ahead of Thomas’ appointment, thereby

breaching Section 3, Subsection (3), of the Representation of the
People (Amendment) Act, 2001.

Last Friday February 16, Sir Rodney administered an Oath of Office
and presented an Instrument of Appointment under Public Seal
appointing Ambassador Thomas.

However, MP Pringle tells the Governor-General, “I am fully satisfied
that you subscribe to the rule of law and you will not condone any
violation of the law.”

Therefore, he has asked Sir Rodney to revoke Thomas’ appointment,
as it “is the right, proper, and just thing to do.”

“If you were not to so act, history will record that our Governor-
General acquiesced with the violation of the law,” MP Pringle
concludes.

The Office of the Governor-General has confirmed that it received
the Opposition Leader’s letter, which was dispatched today,
February 22.

Earlier this week, Pringle chastised PM Browne and his chief of staff,
Lionel “Max” Hurst, for attempting to deceive the people with a
reportedly backdated letter that implied consultation had taken
place.

The letter was delivered on the afternoon of Monday, February 19,
three days after Thomas had been sworn in by the governor-general.