Ascension : ELECTIONS ON ASCENSION ISLAND
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 18.11.2010 (Article Archived on 02.12.2010)
On 20th October I promised to issue another statement following the suspension of the Island Council due to the lack of sufficient candidates coming forward in time for an election to be held.
On 20th October I promised to issue another statement following the suspension of the Island Council due to the lack of sufficient candidates coming forward in time for an election to be held.
I have consulted at length with the Administrator and I know that he has in turn spoken with many people on the island. The choices we have had to make concern an early election or one delayed until after the Christmas holiday, and whether we should create some kind of consultative group, so that we have access to at least some form of advice, albeit falling far short of true democracy.
We have decided that the wisest course of action is to plan for a fresh election after February. This will allow some of the recent dust to settle as well as accommodating those who will be away from the island over Christmas. It will also be well within the six months gap that is allowable under the constitution.
As far as a consultative group is concerned, there are fairly strong arguments in both directions. On the one hand I do not wish to preside without any advice coming from the population and yet a consultative group, however constituted, would have no real validity and experience shows that it could well attract justified criticism. It seems hardly worth it for the sake of a few months.
So over the next few months we will carry on governing the island in the light of previous recommendations. That includes taking forward the view of the previous Council that a Facilitator should work on trying to resolve some of the outstanding problems relating to the financing of the Island with the objective of creating a workable long-term solution.
I must stress that this interim period will be one in which both the Administrator and myself will be very willing to listen to any representations that anyone on the Island wishes to make. This is a fledgling democracy that requires very careful management and we will listen attentively to all those who wish to express a view with regard to the future.
Andrew Gurr
Governor 8th November 2010
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