People’s National Party candidate for St. Andrew West Central has lost his bid to have the result of the recent general election in the constituency overturned.
Buchanan cited ballot box irregularities, intimidation and voter suppression among his reasons for seeking to void the September 3 poll in the constituency.
He filed an application with the Constituted Authority requesting that a petition be sent to the election court.
In a statement today, the Electoral Office pointed out that Mr. Buchanan relied on the ground stipulated in section 37(e) of the Election Petition Act.
This section states that there is an upsurge in violence or any irregularity during election day in one or more polling stations or polling divisions or in any electoral division or constituency which would lead to a substantial distortion or subversion of the process of free and fair election.
The EOJ said Mr. Buchanan submitted several affidavits from himself and others in support of his request.
After careful consideration of the affidavits and relevant case law, the Constituted Authority found that the evidence presented did not satisfy the standard contemplated by the wording of section 37(e).
Therefore, the constituted authority refused Mr. Buchanan’s request.
Mr. Buchanan was informed, in writing yesterday of the constituted authority’s decision and provided him with a copy of the written reasons for its decision.
