President:                     Most Reverend Donald J. Reece D.D

Vice President:             Mrs. Lucilla Benjamin

Treasurer:                     Mrs. Mary-Rose Knight

Assistant Treasurer:     Ms. Dulcie Wynter-King

GENERAL ELECTION GUIDELINES

PROPOSED BY THE ANTIGUA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL (ACC)

FOR THE ELECTORATE

We believe that the right to cast a vote in elections carries with it a sacred responsibility, that you do exercise that right in a proper way, first of all by actually going out to vote and voting for the person you think in the best candidate.

In making such a decision, there are a number of questions which you should ask yourself as you consider the suitability of each candidate, and the merits of each political party.

1.         Does the candidate help me understand clearly the issues, problems and opportunities which face the country at this time, and has the candidate convinced me that he/she and his/her party are best able to tackle these problems, and embrace these opportunities?

 2.        Which of the candidates has persuaded me by Manifesto or by speech that he/she and his/her party are         making promises that they know they can keep?

3.        Which of the candidates has shown by a life of service to the community that he/she is genuinely interested in the welfare of Antigua and Barbuda?

4.        Which of the candidates has convinced me that he/she believes everything he/she is saying and is not indulging in lies, half-truths  and innuendoes?

5.        Which of the candidates has insulted me by trying to buy my conscience with a bribe, such as money gifts, jobs, with a view of procuring my vote?

6.        Which of the candidates has disgusted me in his/her speeches in which he/she has indulged in the character assassination, filthy talk, the use of class or race or country of origin to vilify an opponent or his/her family, or social class?

7.        Which of the political parties or candidates has encouraged verbal or political violence in order to brow-beat or intimidate voters to vote in a certain way?

We believe that if you take these questions to heart and bear them seriously in mind on Election Day, you will vote wisely and responsibly, and after the votes have been counted, and the results have been declared, you will, what ever the results, continue to respect all persons, whether their views are the same as yours or not.

28 February, 2004

Most Rev. Donald J. Reece, D.D

President, Antigua Christian Council