Kamla: We respect the decision of the court

The Court of Appeal has decidedly confirmed that the decision of the EBC to extend time for voting in the last general election was illegal and unconstitutional.

This is a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

We now focus our attention on the local government elections which are imminent in the knowledge that, come rain or sunshine, there can be no recurrence of the unlawful meddling and intervention by the EBC.

To those who poured scorn on us for daring to challenge the EBC and the election results, we say justice has been served, according to law.

These cases were clearly meritorious and deserving of judicial consideration. Our jurisprudence and democracy have been immeasurably enriched by the unprecedented learning that these judgments bring.

We are grateful for the prompt clarification by the Court of Appeal which sits as the final court in election cases. We take comfort in the fact that the court recognised that these matters were brought to serve the public interest and the highest ideals of our democracy.

The cross appeals by the EBC were therefore dismissed and the orders for costs made against the petitioners by the high court were reversed.

We respect the decision of the court.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar

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