Attorney explains the essence of nomination case

Michael Young

It was clearly an emotional day for Yolanda Schakron. The petition against the government was defended by Rodwell Williams of Barrow and Williams along with Michael Young of Young’s Law Firm. Young told News Five that the case was straightforward and the Returning Officer had a duty to uphold the objection of Schakron’s nomination.

Michael Young, Attorney for Government

“They applied for an injunction to restrain the returning officer in that division from disallowing Miss Schakron’s candidacy. We went to court to say that the returning officer not only had authority to decide on her eligibility, but in fact had a duty to do so. The rules in the election laws provide that the returning officer is to accept the nomination of a duly qualified candidate. The constitution provides who is a duly qualified candidate and it includes a person is disqualified if by his own act owes allegiance to another state. And the court after a whole lot of argument agreed with the position that the returning officer was entitled to do what he did and if they want relief. Misses Schakron wants to pursue her rights. Then she is entitled to do so by way of an election petition. And that’s the scheme of things.”

Jose Sanchez

“This means it would still be over for her to be a nominee today for Lake I.”

Michael Young

“For this election. But the door is not closed because if the returning officer was wrong in her decision, then the election in that division would be overturned. And in fact then she would be clear to be a candidate.”

Jose Sanchez

“The point is made that the US embassy has already began the process for her renunciation. It is irreversible. And at some point, she will be only a Belizean citizen.”

Michael Young

“She is entitled to take that court of action. The law is, as we understand it and we think the law is very clear; that whether or not you are qualified to be a member of the house, you have to be qualified at nomination day.  And that’s only logical. How is it that you can put candidates before the people where there is a doubt as to whether that person is qualified to hold office in the House of Representatives. And of course the matter of allegiance to a foreign state—that is extremely important. And let me say that I well understand the hurt of Miss Schakron and her supporters but they should lay the blame where it should be. Whenever a person seeks to run for office for the National Assembly, that person and the party has a responsibility to ensure that there are not any disqualification factors.”

Jose Sanchez

“Would you say then it is unfortunate because it was a ninth hour nomination Miss Schakron received after the actual incumbent stepped down?”

Michael Young

“Well I understand that the renunciation process started on the fourteenth of February when in fact she had jumped into the race quite some time before that. So what it means is the proper screening and scrutiny and due diligence was not exercised by the party, by the P.U.P. and really they have only themselves to blame for that. And my view is that again the P.U.P. itself is showing a difficulty in managing itself; even the process of nomination.”