ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC -Newly appointed chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), Arthur Thomas, Friday brushed aside concerns raised by the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) that called on him not to accept the position.
Thomas was sworn in on Friday, replacing the late John Jarvis, who was buried earlier this week.
In a statement, the UPP said that Thomas, in the interest of preserving the office’s integrity and fostering public trust in ABEC, should have declined the appointment.
“The United Progressive Party (UPP) again places on record its objection to the appointment of attorney Arthur Thomas as chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC),” the UPP said, adding that foremost among the reasons for its objection are questions about Thomas’ integrity in the wake of his two recent resignations.
The party claimed that Thomas has had to resign his positions with the Caribbean Union Bank (CUB) and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission, adding, “If his connection to these entities was enough for him to resign, why should he head the body charged with safeguarding the practice of fair elections?”.
But Thomas, speaking to reporters after being sworn into office, said he is aware of the concerns being raised in the public domain, adding that he hopes that “the factual basis on which they speak is correct.
“Ultimately, it is best never to judge someone going into a position; you judge them when they get out.
“And so, I am taking that approach. I stand by the body of work I have done since starting my career in Antigua some 33 years ago. My reputation has not been impugned, and certainly, if it was, I do not believe that the government would have to repose the confidence that they did,” Thomas said.
In addition to his legal practice, Thomas is the managing director of Corporate and Trust Services (Caribbean) Ltd., which offers offshore company formation, administration and management, trust services, ship registration, residency, immigration consultancy, and bank introduction services.
and then , Arthur Thomas, Friday brushed){kind=link}