Guy Joseph
CASTRIES, St.Lucia, Feb 19, CMC – Parliamentary representative for Castries South East, Guy Joseph, has filed an injunction in the High Court against the Boundaries Commission, which recently approved the realignment of constituency boundaries, increasing the number from 17 to 21.
The injunction, filed on February 17 and will be heard on February 27 before Justice Frances Belle.
The injunction seeks to restrain the Governor General, through the Attorney General in her capacity from making any order or proclamation for a period of fourteen days, until the further order of the court.
In addition to the Boundaries Commission as the first defendant in the action, the claim names the Prime Minister and the Attorney General, acting in the capacity as the legal representative of the Governor General, as second and third defendants respectively.
The recommendation that constituency boundaries in St Lucia be realigned has been mired in controversy, with supporters of the move saying it was long overdue, while critics questioned the autonomy of the Boundaries Commission and the cost to taxpayers of the intended changes.
There has also been criticism that the changes would put undue pressure on the Electoral Department, some three years into the current term of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government.
In addition to increasing the number of constituencies, the Constituency Boundaries Commission recommends that the northern town of Gros Islet be divided into three constituencies and a new constituency be created by conjoining contiguous parts of Babonneau, Castries North and Castries East to reduce on the size of those constituencies.
It also recommended that a new constituency be created from Castries South East and Castries South, to reduce on the size of Castries South East, the constituency of the complainant Guy Joseph.
