New Supervisor of Elections appointed

By Linda Straker

Head of State, Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean, has appointed a new person to act in the post of Supervisor of Elections as the appointed person is on medical leave.

As of November 7, 2012, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Aaron Francois, was appointed to act in the position until the return of Ms. Judy Benoit, who suffered a stroke almost two months ago.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Agriculture, Aaron Francois.

Francois, it is understood, officially met with staff last week following his appointment and spent Monday morning in the office acquainting himself with current “state of affairs” of the office, which recently published its first voters’ list since the conclusion of the 2012 remuneration, which ended on July 8.

Last week Tuesday, the New National Party (NNP) urged the Head of State to appoint a person to the post because of the importance of that office with regards to a general election. A statement from the Office of the Governor General through the Government Information Service said that the appointment is for “a period of two months or until further notice”.

“We are in an election year and it important that the Office of Supervisor of Election be treated with importance. Ms. Benoit is on leave and we recommend that someone be appointed to replace her,” Public Relations Office of the NNP, Terry Forrester, said.

A general election is constitutionally due no later than October 2013. However, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has indicated that it will be held during the first quarter of 2013.