Panday loses seat in 8th Parliament: Courts to blame

Yet again Mr. Panday is not to be faulted for not seeking leave of the Speaker to be absent from Parliament. The Court should have done it for the 'helpless, hapless but fearless, warrior, saint" leader. Wonder what Mr. Panday would like to be when he grows up?

October 19, 2007

UNC-A MEDIA RELEASE

The judgment handed down earlier today, in which United National Congress Political Leader Basdeo Panday lost his appeal to retain his Couva North seat, is in our view purely academic.

There is absolutely no obstacle whatsoever to prevent Mr Panday from contesting the Couva North Seat, following the decision by Justices of Appeal Margot Warner, Ivor Archie and Paula-Mae Weekes.

The judgment concerns the Eighth Parliament.

That Parliament has since been dissolved and no longer exists.

November 5, 2007, will decide the composition of the ninth parliament, upon a United National Congress victory.

However, it is still a sad day for democracy in the country when the courts of the land want to prevent a Member of Parliament from taking his or her rightful seat in parliament, since representation of the people is one of the core values of our democracy.

For more information please contact Vasant Bharath at 741-1039