Leon Chaku Symister Sworn in as Final Member of Boundaries Commission

Leon Chaku Symister Sworn in as Final Member of Boundaries Commission

Mr. Leon Chaku Symister was today sworn in as the final member of Antigua and Barbuda’s Boundaries Commission, completing the bipartisan body tasked with shaping the nation’s electoral framework.

The event was presided over by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, who underscored the vital importance of the Commission’s work in ensuring equitable representation within the parliamentary system.

The Boundaries Commission, established under constitutional provisions and guided by the Constituencies Boundaries Commission Guidance Act of 2012, reviews the boundaries and number of constituencies to align with population distribution and geographical realities.

Sir Rodney highlighted the Commission’s key guiding principles, including voter parity, population density, and geographical considerations.

He noted the challenges and complexities involved in their work, citing an anecdote of a couple residing in different constituencies due to boundary lines passing through their home.

While the Governor General acknowledged the humor in such situations, he emphasized the seriousness and far-reaching consequences of the Commission’s mandate.

Mr. Symister, an attorney and former educator, was lauded by Sir Rodney for his wealth of experience, which is expected to contribute to the Commission’s ability to uphold transparency and inclusiveness in its deliberations.

The Governor General also encouraged the Commission to engage with the public and gather credible data to foster trust in the democratic process.

“The report that the Commission will produce is not merely a procedural requirement; it is a cornerstone of our democratic governance,” Sir Rodney stated. “It will shape the electoral process for years to come.”

In his remarks, the Governor General called on the Commission to address questions raised by the public, including the relevance of parish boundaries versus constituency boundaries and the relationship between public service districts and electoral boundaries.

Mr. Symister joins a Commission reflective of bipartisan collaboration, with members appointed by both the government and opposition.

The body’s composition aims to ensure balanced and informed decision-making in its critical mission to safeguard the democratic principles of Antigua and Barbuda.

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