Grenada\'s opposition questions choice of new Supervisor of Elections

The parliamentary opposition New National Party (NNP) says it does not believe that new Supervisor of Elections, Judy Benoit, is experienced enough to serve in that capacity, according to a report on www.cananews.net.



Benoit, who has served for more than two decades in the Grenada public service, last week replaced Nordica McIntyre in the post.



But the NNP, which lost the 2008 general election to the National Democratic Congress, accused Benoit of being too closely aligned to the ruling party.



\"Members of Her Majesty\'s Opposition are questioning the recommendation by the Tillman Thomas administration to replace the former Supervisor of elections Ms Nordica McIntyre with a junior civil servant who is known to have little experience operating at that level,\" said a statement released by the NNP Monday morning.



The NNP\'s deputy political leader Elvin Nimrod questioned the motive behind the new choice for Supervisor of Elections.



\"There are many well qualified, professional and experienced senior civil servants who are more politically neutral and better qualified to hold the position of Supervisor of Elections,\" Nimrod, a former attorney general said.



He accused the government of using Benoit\'s appointment as part of a plan to interfere with the electoral process.



\"The opposition is therefore appealing to the Governor General to ensure that structures are put in place now to ensure a free and fair election whenever it is called.\"



Grenada\'s constitution states that the Supervisor of Elections must be a public officer and the Governor General\'s office has confirmed that Benoit has already taken the oath of office.