Boundaries Commission hearing deferred

An application by respondents in the Boundaries Commission matter requesting an adjournment, has seen the hearing of the substantive matter being pushed back to December 13, 2010.{{more}}

The original date for trial was set for Monday, November 1, in open court at the High Court, where two matters were scheduled to be heard.

The matter pertains to an injunction filed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) to prevent publication of the Constituency Boundaries Report signed on July 9, 2010.

On Tuesday, August 24, 2010, Justice Gertel Thom ruled in favour of the NDP that the injunction to prevent publication of the Commission’s report in the official gazette be continued.

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Browne said she is taking the application for adjournment only at face value.

“…Let’s wait and see. The most important thing here is that both injunctions remained enforced in the meantime. That is key right now,” Bacchus Browne told SEARCHLIGHT.

After both injunctions were granted, Bacchus-Browne accused the Commission of gerrymandering and trying to deprive NDP’s Leader Arhnim Eustace, of his stronghold in East Kingstown.

Thom’s ruling means that the 15 constituents will remain pending the outcome of the substantive matter.

Representing the Boundaries Commission are Dominican Lawyer Anthony Astaphan S.C.; former St Lucian Prime Minister and Lawyer Kenny Anthony; Grahame Bollers and Richard Williams.