BLP election petition

An Election Court yesterday upheld the January 15 general election result in the disputed St. Michael West Central constituency.



The defeated Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate, who wanted the results declared null and void, brought the petition.



Rommel Marshall of the BLP also sought a recount of the ballots, arguing that the Returning Officer had denied his request for a recount on the night of the election.



James Paul had been declared the winner of the seat by 25 votes.



The petition was the first to be heard in Barbados since 1984, when former BLP candidate Owen Arthur successfully challenged his one vote defeat to Sybil Leacock in a by-election.