TCI: Governor gets High Court Judge involved in Jamell Robinson election claim

#TurksandCaicos, April 29, 2021 – The governor is expecting a detailed report before he makes any determinations about what has become known as a Ballot Blunder in the Bight; where All Island candidate Jamell Robinson claims he was shortchanged of 82 of the votes he received when the final tally was – according to him – inaccurately recorded though properly counted. 

High court judge, Justice Carlos Simons now has the matter.  Justice Simons is asked by Governor Nigel Dakin to review the case.

The Governor on Tuesday morning issued a statement to confirm his involvement and that he was asked to look into the discrepancy by Jamell Robinson. 

Mr. Robinson clarified the mistake is not a call for a recount; it is a call for a proper recording of the ballots tallied. 

The blunder, he has shared over several statements, cost him the second most popular candidate spot in the all island race, and untold other opportunities. 

It would have put him ahead of EJ Saunders, currently recorded as the second all island member and who is the Deputy Premier with responsibility for the Ministry of Health.  Over third all island candidate, Josephine Connolly, the Tourism, Environment and Gaming Minister and 95 votes behind Premier Washington Misick, the first all island candidate.  

The Progressive National Party on February 19 won all five at large seats and Robinson’s claim, if validated, would only shift his standing. 

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Hon Jamell Robinson said “today it is me, tomorrow it may be someone else.  Our electoral system needs to be assessed… it should not be the candidates battle to fix mistakes.”