Speaking live at ZJB radio, B. Roach and Chairman Fergus
The Montserrat Electoral Commission is one of five commissions established under the new Montserrat Constitution Order 2010. The other Commissions are the Integrity, Complaints, Public Service and Mercy. Four of these Commissions have been installed and the latest report is that the Integrity Commission will soon be in place.
This Electoral Commission having been duly installed, its members are:- Dr. Sir Howard Fergus, Mrs. Claudette Weekes, Mrs. Josephine Lee and Mr. Bennette Roach.
This Commission is regulated under the Constitution as follows:
(a) have the functions conferred on it by sections 52(3), 79, 96(2) and 114(1);
(b) supervise elections in Montserrat in accordance with any law regulating the conduct of elections; and (c) have such other functions as may be prescribed by Act of the Legislature.
(8) An Act of the Legislature may make further provision, subject to this Constitution, for the functions and procedures of the Electoral Commission, and for the protection, privileges and remuneration of members of the Commission.
(9) In the exercise of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2013, the Commission set about preparing for the next general elections in Montserrat constitutionally due in September, 2014.
The commission hosted a radio programme on the government radio station, ZJB Radio where three of the members hosted a guest in the Hon. Attorney General General, Esco Henry, who obliged even while she suffered a sick throat.
Claudette Weekes (l) listens intently to AG Esco Henry (r)
Bennette Roach moderated the programme which the Commission Chairman Sir Howard Fergus explained was presented with the intention of educating and preparing the public for any upcoming elections.
“The reason we are here really is to educate people on aspects of election,” the chairman rationalized.
He said elections are constitutionally due next year but no one knows in fact when the election will happen, “and in any case it’s not too early to begin to educate persons and help them with an orientation in matters pertaining to election.”
He advised as he welcomed Miss Henry as the guest for the evening, “like you (the moderator) I’m pleased that we have the Hon. Attorney General as our guest tonight,” adding, “this will not preempt the sort of educational process the intensive educational process that we engage in before elections.”
The chairman said that there are some important issues and, “the two important issues we are raising tonight, who can be elected, what are the qualifications of the members of the assembly and a companion idea who can elect them, who are the electors…”
Miss Henry quite ably outlined the law dealing with the mentioned issues as they related especially to the Montserrat Constitution Order 2010 Sections 50 & 51, and other Elections Act. Following, the panel discussed matters of the presentation, that they thought would be of interest to voters and public generally, inviting callers, and online via text over the internet, with questions and comments from listeners both in Montserrat and overseas.
The Commission panel for the evening comprised, Dr. Fergus, Mrs. Claudette Weekes and Bennette Roach.
They informed that there would be further such programs and education material will be publicised for the benefit of the people and especially voters, while requesting ZJB to air that and any other such program repeatedly.
