Dear (Name Withheld):

I write you in my capacity as Opposition spokesman on the issue of Electoral Reform. The Government of Grenada has introduced before the Parliament the Representation of the People (Amendment Act) 2006 which is intended to reflect recommendations made as a result of consultations with all stakeholders including political parties, trade unions, business organisations and community groups.

These consultations themselves were the result of the report of the Electoral Observer Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) following the 1999 elections in Grenada. The Organisation of American States (OAS) had been invited by the Government to observe the election process and make recommendations.

In its report to the Government of Grenada the Organisation of American States (OAS) Observer Mission expressed concern that the present system was cumbersome and inefficient and urged that a system be put in place that would ensure that voters who reach voting age before the elections could be more easily included in the registry.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) mission said: "The Government of Grenada and the Parliamentary Elections Office should consider a system of continuous registration to ensure that the voter registry is up to date and accurate." Following on the Organisation of American States (OAS) recommendations a committee comprising Mr. Victor Ashby, Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Francis McBarnette, OAS Representative in Grenada, and Mr. Nicholas Barnes, Solicitor General, was set up to address the issues raised in the report and to prepare the necessary legislation.

That committee met with all interested parties and in 2004 submitted a report and draft legislation to the Government. That report is available for public scrutiny.

The Parliamentary Opposition has long held the view that the present system of registration once a year in January is not only undemocratic but also an affront to all those young people who turn eighteen (18) years after April of any year and may possibly have to wait five (5) more years - until age twenty-three (23) - to participate in the electoral process.

This is a monumental disenfranchisement of a most vibrant section of the population. We are of the view that a system should be implemented where once a person turns eighteen (18) years they register and becomes eligible to vote.

In addition to recommending a system of continuous registration the Committee also recommended that there should also be a period referred to as the Special Registration Period allowing for eligible voters to register for a limited period following the announcement of elections.

This would allow for those who may not have registered to do so after a date has been announced for the elections. This may be done without affecting the time limits for the elections. From the Committees report all parties including the NNP supported this proposal. According to the report the Supervisor of Elections supported this proposal.

The report stated: "On this issue the Supervisor of Elections feels some period for Special Registration is necessary for the process to function properly. The Supervisor's view is that inevitably people will not be registered and they should therefore be given every opportunity to do so." The report also noted that there are other countries in the region that have this provision in their law.

In the Draft Bill presented to Parliament for discussion this Friday, July 14th, 2006, the Government has removed the provision for a Special Registration Period. Though no explanation has been given we understand that the justification they are providing is that there will be an administrative problem if registration is to be continued after the announcement of the elections.

According to the Government, once the elections have been announced no one will be allowed to register. Despite the fact that Mr. Victor Ashby, the man in charge of the registration process says that not only is it possible but that it is necessary for the proper functioning of the system, the Government chooses to remove such an important and democratic clause.

The Parliamentary Opposition believes that the purpose for removing this provision is to assist the Government in disenfranchising scores of Grenadians who may wish to register following the announcement of elections.

The fact is many Grenadians do not check the list of registered voters until the day after the elections are announced. To not allow them to register is a most anti-democratic act and one aimed at strengthening the hand of the Government in the electoral process.

The Parliamentary Opposition has been urging the Government to adopt the legislation as recommended by the OAS and the Committee as they reflected the wishes of all stakeholders. To date the Government has refused to reconsider its position. We are therefore calling on you and your organisation to urge the Government to include the recommendation for a Special Registration Period in the legislation reflecting the wishes of all stakeholders in the process.

As this matter is scheduled to be tabled on Friday July 14th your urgent attention is required. We enclose copies of relevant section of the legislation for your consideration.

Sincerely Yours,

Hon. Peter C. David M.P.
Town of St. George