By: Max Sterling
The real debate has begun regarding the seriousness of the recent changes within the Parliamentary Elections office. I am glad that I can bring something to the table of that dialogue since it is no accident that from 'cap'n to cook' were replaced in that supposedly independent institution - our Parliamentary Elections Office.
We have to remember that anything that is provided for in our Constitution must be regarded as sacrosanct - and we should do our utmost to protect these offices from being bastardised by politicians who are facilitated by the highest constitutional office in the land - which might be at the time occupied by a disreputable degenerate!
We all heard the new Supervisor of Elections who at one time did not even have the respect or regard of the Prime Minister as expressed by he, himself, to persons close to him - although he was the one who elevated her to the position of Permanent Secretary.
It was unfortunate to have heard her say there is nothing wrong with bending the rules a little without breaking the law. What does that mean? She was obviously telling us the kind of Supervisor she intends to be from the get go!
It is rather unfortunate that an amiable person as herself would allow herself to be so used by an individual who everyone can see steering down the barrel of his last days after taking thirteen whole years preparing for serious prosecution on several counts including and not limited to 'misbehaviour in public office'.
The nagging problem in that office under her leadership - or rather better put, under Mitchell's leadership through her - rests with the registration of eligible voters when there is absolutely no provision made by law for names to be taken off the list.
Can't we see a rather large percentage of new registrants being under aged and otherwise unqualified but registered to vote in this crucial election?
Can't you also see these new registrants being distributed throughout the various constituencies in order to pad votes thus giving the NNP the victory both Mitchell and Gregory Bowen crave in order to remain free of US court proceedings?
After all, the nature of this administration is to corrupt everything under them so as to thrive in the chaos they created.
The climate in the Parliamentary Elections office is conducive to accommodating anything outside of the norms in order to help Mitchell delay his fate with destiny.
Those of us with good memories (never mind how few that might be) must recall in September of 2003 - then opposition leader - Michael Baptiste bringing a matter to court relating to the voter registration list.
That matter (Michael Baptiste versus Supervisor of Elections Victor Ashby) was heard before Justice Kenneth Benjamin who promised to give his decision shortly. It is to be realized that 'shortly' is a relative term as since then one election proceeded in November of that same year and yet another is about to arrive again, and Justice Benjamin's 'shortly' has not concluded as yet.
I am sure, had a judgment been delivered in Baptiste's favour, we would have had a resolution to this problem of removing names from the voter registration list.
The Grenadian people can see that in this case how true it is that justice delayed is really justice denied. That isn't to say that had judgment been handed down in favour of the Supervisor of Elections that anything would have changed.
By the time this article is published, the OECS would have had a new Chief Justice in place and so we advise that overtures be made to his office with a view to having him seek out an explanation as to why judgment has never been delivered in this matter.
It is only logical that observers coming into Grenada to observe the conduct of our general elections would be really observing a process conducted with a flawed voter registration list. Therein lies the problem! In effect they would have come in to observe a fraud!
As a people we are called upon to lift our levels and standard so we can really understand and appreciate all that is happening around us.
Mitchell's rant and rave at the fiasco of a Youth Rally which showed utter contempt for the youth of the nation by not providing for an uneventful return to their various homes throughout the length and breadth of the state of Grenada, by saying he too is calling for observers to keep an eye on the opposition - is laughable.
Cat put to watch a boatload of freshly caught jacks always need to have a watchman themselves - and no one ought to know this better than Little Mugabe himself. He must remember the position of trust he was in at the Grenada Shipping Agents when funds came up short and he ended up admitting that approximately a lesser amount than was actually missing went missing.
So you see, it is time Grenadians stop putting any trust in an individual of such tainted character as Little Mugabe..
On another issue relating to the attempt of Mitchell to relieve the Chief Magistrate of her position on the grounds of age, I am sure you heard the unfortunate Attorney General recently talking about separation of powers and how his administration respect the judiciary, and a whole lot of rot.......
It is unfortunate that many people seem to carry the perception that the Chief Magistrate was once a supporter of the NNP Clan and therefore do not have much sympathy for her now that Mitchell has turned tail on her.
Be that as it may - there is a process that must be observed in order to replace any member of the Judiciary and that authority does not rest with the Executive - especially this current group of (you, fill in the blanks....) in the Botanical Gardens.
Rumour has it that the NNP have already earmarked a certain Jamaican attorney for the position of Chief Magistrate. Is it a question of NNP preparing the stage for leniency for some in the leadership at the entry gate level of our courts when all those cases relating to 'misbehaviour in public office' come up for hearing after the impending change which is looming large on the horizon.
No number of children who attend any jam session passed off as a youth rally would be able to save Mitchell from the wrath of the people this time around.
Remember what I told you last week? The noise in the market is not the sale. You see the backlash after the NNP deserted the nation's children after that same so called youth rally? That is their culture as they are not a genuine party about anything except expediency!
How long? Not long! All in the fullness of time! I can hear the jail door banging.
