Ian Hughes, who has been acting in the post of the Supervisor of Elections since
the departure of Dame Lorna Simon earlier this year, is one step closer to being
confirmed in the position.
This comes as a result of a resolution being tabled in the House of Representatives
on Thursday by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, which has been approved by the
lower House and will now make its way to the Upper House, the Senate, for its
approval, before heading to the desk of the Governor General where it will be
signed into effect.
PM Browne noted that Hughes, the current Human Resources and Training Officer
at the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission is set to be the country’s next
Supervisor of Elections.
The resolution noted that the actual appointment of the Supervisor of Elections is
done by the Governor General, following the adoption of a resolution to that effect
by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“Mr. Speaker, the person nominated is already within the system; he would have
acted as Supervisor of Elections on several occasions, and having looked at two
possible options, Mr. Hughes is best suited for this position. He has a BA degree
from Monroe College and has served as Head of Missions for CARICOM
Observer Groups, monitoring elections in the region and beyond,” the Prime
Minister explained.
Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin also endorsed Hughes’ nomination noting
that he has served in the post for many years and that he has done so without even
a hint of impropriety.
Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle supported Hughes noting that he has
served in the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency in a manner ‘without fear
or favour.’ He however chided the government for not involving the opposition in
the decision, making note that such involvement leads to closer cooperation
between both sides of the aisle.
Other members of the House endorsed the nomination of Hughes, whom they
described as a man of integrity and a professional at all times.
