By Aabigayle McIntosh

Longstanding Member of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) Anthonyson King will official vacate the positon this coming Saturday after more than 12 years of service.

King was appointed back in 2019. Earlier this week staff at the statutory corporation held a special ceremony in his honor.

He told the media on Wednesday he was departing leaving the Commission in a better place than he met it.

“When I came in in 2010, I was a little concerned because the Commission seemed to be in disarray. There was a tribunal, they were trying to bring in Paddy James, Sir Gerald Watt and Lionel Hurst as a result of the fiasco in the 2009 election. I am very satisfied with the changes that are taking place and what is going on here”.

He added that the commission is in good hands.

“Now I’ve been here for 14 years and I don’t know who backs who, which party they back because I don’t ask them that. What I’m only concerned about is that they do their job,” he stated further.

King was first appointed by Sir Lester Bird when he served as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

He was then reappointed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

The Outgoing Commission Member also advised his successor to represent the people of Antigua and Barbuda, the country which is more important that a party.