High Court Strikes Out U.D.P. P.G. Municipal Election Petition

The United Democratic Party continues to face defeat, even months after a resounding municipal election loss. That is because the High Court has struck out Franklin “Kranka” Polonio’s petition challenging the results of the March sixth municipal election in Punta Gorda Town. The respondents in the matter were Carlos “Obeah” Galvez and Chief Elections and Boundaries Officer Josephine Tamai. In response, Tamai filed an application to strike out the petition, stating that it is an abuse of process and there is no reasonable cause to file an election petition. Polonio argued that the ballots were counted a third time; he was exhausted and did not realise he had signed the overall statement of the polls. He further contended that while he was informed certain ballots were void, neither he nor his agent witnessed the placement of questionable ballots as a separate batch. The Chief Elections Officer argued that the petition was brought under incorrect laws and procedures and that it was inconsistent with the prescribed form of an election petition because Polonio failed to sign the very petition he filed. Tamai further contended that the petition was not supported by an affidavit as is mandated and that it was filed fifty-nine days after the election, as opposed to the ten-day period mandated. As we said, the High Court decided to strike out the petition. Tonight, Carlos “Obeah” Galvez is taking a second victory lap.

 

Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda Town

“I believe that was a clear initial act of desperation. As I have said over and over that when started counting polling area one, twelve A and those two boxes were counted we had already garnered close to eighty, ninety votes ahead of my opponents. So when all this saying about it is illegal and we have stolen the election, that is misleading information, totally misleading. I must truly say that I am sincerely happy. I know there is a God above and in everything you do you put God first. Of course you need to be guided and I want to applaud and say thanks to the attorney general and all those who have played a great role in ensuring that this claim by the U.D.P., the desperation claim to want to recall for counting, this is nonsense.”