Basseterre: On the fourth day of the St Kitts and Nevis National Assembly Budget 2022 presentation on January 21, Attorney General Vincent Byron reaffirmed his office’s commitment to the Electoral office.
“Mr Speaker, the Office of Attorney General, provides administrative support to the Electoral Office, which is a crucial constitutional institution,” he stated.
Section 33 of the Constitution establishes an independent electoral commission whose duty is to “supervise to the supervisor of elections in the exercise of his or her duties under section 34(1), 38 (9), and 113 sub-section (5).”
“The supervisor of elections’ job should be to exercise general supervision over the registration of voters in representative elections and the conduct of such elections,” he explained.
The Attorney General also announced that the commission and supervisor had begun preparations for the impending local government elections in Nevis, which are expected to occur within the next 15 months.
“Voter registration has continued apace throughout the year, as required by law,” he added.
Registration officers issued, updated and posted monthly lists, and the revised yearly register for each constituency in prominent areas across each constituency.”
The yearly register, which was created and released in July, comprises 48,404 voter names, with 36,095 in St Kitts and 12,309 Nevis claims and objections are still being heard and resolved,” said Attorney-general.
He also mentioned the Attorney General’s Office’s other functions as the government’s principal legal advisor, which include ensuring that the administration for public affairs by the constitution and law, supervising all matters related to the administration of justice.
Moreover, advising on the legislative agenda, and generally advising the government on all legislative agenda, and all matters of law referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers and advising the government on all matrimonial matters.