Allegiance action brought against Shahine
September 06, 2007
A St. Ann elector is seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) representative Shahine Robinson is not qualified to be elected to the House of Representatives because she has dual citizenship.
The motion has been brought by businessman and former People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament, Manley Bowen.
Robinson won the seat in the St. Ann NorthEastern constituency on election day.
Bowen has stated in his affidavit supporting his claim that he "verily believes that up to Nomination Day, Robinson was a citizen of the United States and became so by her own act, having sworn allegiance to a foreign power in or about 2005."
Second such motion
This is the second such motion filed in the Supreme Court within the last 10 days.
PNP candidate Abe Dabdoub has also filed a motion contending that JLP representative Daryl Vaz has dual citizenship. The hearing is set for September 13.
Dabdoub is asking the court to declare Vaz's election null and void and declare him instead as MP for the West Portland constituency.
Bowen is contending that, by virtue of sections 39 and 40(2) of the Constitution of Jamaica, Robinson was not qualified to be elected to the House of Representatives.
He is asking the court to declare her election null and void and declare that PNP candidate Oswest Senior-Smith be forthwith returned as the duly elected MP for the constituency.
Defendants are Robinson, Rupert Brown, returning officer; Director of Elections Danville Walker, and the Attorney General.
The motion was filed by the law firm Scott, Bhoorasingh and Bonnick.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
