The Tribune

AFTER making a complaint to Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall about the appointment of a “known” Progressive Liberal Party supporter as the returning election officer for Centreville, Free National Movement candidate for the area Reece Chipman said the woman in question has been removed.

On Sunday Mr Chipman, in an interview with The Tribune, expressed his “disappointment” over the appointment of the returning officer, as he said her “advocacy” for the PLP on her Facebook page gives the impression that “they (the PLP) are attempting to be unfair.”

Yesterday, he contacted The Tribune to say the person in question has been removed from that post, as he pledged to peruse the names of persons listed as presiding officers in Centreville to ensure they are public officers who appear impartial.

“Sherlyn Hall removed her, I wanted to say congratulations on that decision,” Mr Chipman said. “We are being reviewed by Caribbean (election) observers and we want to make sure these things are done in integrity and independence.

“I am happy that the parliamentary commissioner saw it right to do what he should have done and removed her. We are now looking to see if the presiding officers are public officers.

“The returning officer is the one responsible for the overall Centreville constituency, but the presiding officer presides over each polling division. Everyone votes but we should have a voice of neutrality. Now all the presiding officers will be checked.”