Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, June 6, 2025 – On the eve of a highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) laid out its case to the public on why it petitioned the results of the February 7, 2025, general election in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Appearing on a live Facebook broadcast hosted by Ezra Taylor on Tuesday evening, former PDM leader and national chairman Hon. Douglas Parnell gave a detailed explanation of what he described as a serious legal breach — the use of a ballot paper in the election that, according to him, was not authorized by law.
“The most obvious ground is that the election ballot used was not the lawful one. It cannot be found in any of the laws of the islands,” Parnell stated. “The question before the court is, where did this ballot come from? Was it approved by Parliament? If not, then what legal authority allowed it to be used?”
Parnell argued that any new or altered election form, including the ballot paper, must be created through a clear legal process: first by drafting and publishing a bill, then allowing a period for public awareness, and finally securing passage in Parliament. He said that process was not followed.
“There is no evidence that the ballot used was passed into law through Parliament. That is the crux of our petition,” he said. “If legislation wasn’t passed or amended, then the use of this ballot is in breach of the legal framework for elections.”
Parnell acknowledged that responses had been filed in court by the government’s side suggesting other legal avenues might justify the use of the new ballot. Still, he maintained that no such justification could replace the need for proper legislative procedure.
The PDM’s case falls under the territory’s Elections Ordinance, which allows for election petitions to be filed within seven days of the results. The law also provides for petitions in cases of alleged corruption or malpractice within 14 days of the election.
Ezra Taylor, who hosted the programme Judicial Decision Watch on the PDM’s official Facebook page, stressed the broader importance of lawful elections. “Failure to follow these legal principles risks public trust, economic stability, and the integrity of democracy,” Taylor said in his opening remarks.
Viewership of the broadcast reached 4,700.
The show also touched briefly on the introduction of electronic voting machines in the TCI, which PDM members argued may have lacked sufficient public education ahead of implementation.
Taylor emphasized that the conversation was being approached cautiously given that the matter remains before the court. “Every citizen has a stake in this,” he said. “Legitimate elections are the cornerstone of a resilient and stable democracy.”
A ruling by Supreme Court Justice Chris Selochan is expected today, Friday, June 6.
