Government Set Aside Funding for Pending By-Election

By Abigayle McIntosh

The government said it has set aside the funding required to cover the by-election to select a representative for the St Mary’s South constituency.

Prime Minister Chief of Staff Lionel Max Hurst said while no definitive date has been set, the by-election will likely take place “sometime between now and October 26th”.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former United Progressive Party (UPP) MP Kevin “Shugy” Simon, who stated on June 7th that he was seeking to avoid a lengthy court battle challenging his nomination as a candidate.

The case was brought by Cosworth Aaron who alleged in his filing that Simon’s nomination was invalid. At the time of his nomination Simon was employed with the Ministry of Education, however, he resigned a fourth night before the general election.

The case was dismissed in the High Court by Justice Jan Drysdale who agreed with arguments that as a result of Simon’s resignation, the ruling would no longer affect him since he has ceased to be a Member of Parliament.

Simon will go up against the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) Senator Samantha Marshall whom he defeated by almost 200 votes in the January 18th polls.

Both have expressed confidence they have what it takes to represent the constituency.

Andrew Antionio of the Democratic National Alliance has also thrown his hat in the ring. He received 12 votes during the last polls.

Antonio stated recently he was campaigning on a platform for change.

He said while many may view his addition to the two-people contest, he believes it is an opportunity to show the people of the constituency, “where they should lay their trust in the future of themselves and generations to come”.