Opposition Leader Douglas accuses Prime Minister and Attorney General of foot dragging on resolving boundaries issue in court

The appointment of a new chairman of the Constituency Boundaries Commission, the second within one year, could have serious consequences on which boundaries to be used in the next general elections due within a few months.

Leader of the Opposition and National Political Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), the Right Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas on Tuesday accused the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government of incompetence by dragging its feet in resolving an injunction it sought from the high court when it was in opposition, prior to the February 16, 2015.

Dr Douglas in an invited comment said the appointment of a new Constituency Boundaries chairman has raised eyebrows.

He noted that Calvin Pemberton who resigned on October 25, 2019 has been very busy in the construction industry and no time was found to conduct the affairs of the Constituency Boundaries Commission.

Dr Douglas further noted that the appointment is being made this late in what has now become a controversy following public statements by the Prime Minister and the Attorney General to review the boundaries.

Dr Douglas is of the view that the controversy increases when there is a significant portion of the electorate who believe that the next election will be called on the boundaries which were established by the Parliament in January 2015, prior to the elections which were held on February 16, 2015.

He further questioned whether after five years, the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government will tell the people of this country that they will vote in 2020 on the boundaries of 1984/89 because there was no time over the last five years to have the matters tried in the Court

During his press conference on Monday, when asked by a reporter for the status of the Court hearing on the injunction, Dr Harris said the Executive Branch cannot direct the Judicial Branch. His answer runs counter to recent matters in which he was successful in getting early hearings on matters before the court and in which he have personal interests.