By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 29th March 2023)- Acting Ombudsman Bishop Cyprian Williams has publicly stated that he did not vote in the August 2022 General Elections and has also indicated that he has tried to get his name removed from the Voters’ List.
“I have taken a decision, my own personal decision, that I’m not a voter anymore, and I did not vote in the last election. I took a position of prayer and I think that I’m going to continue in that position, and praying for our country.” He made the disclosure during his appearance on Freedom FM’s ‘Issues’ programme aired live on Wednesday 29th March 2022 with host/interviewer Maurice ‘EK’ Flanders.
According to Bishop Williams: “The office of the ombudsman is a very important part of democracy, integrity and good governance. You cannot have good governance; even talk about it if you do not have that in place.” He informed that the office was “established for the purpose of protecting and enforcing the rights of citizens.
So, it gives assistance to persons who believe that they have suffered some injustice by a public official as a result of maladministration…” The Acting Ombudsman said the office is called to mediate.“It is the people’s representative, the public protector and advocate, it’s a mediator between government and its people so the people must be able to have someone with a voice who is going to be speaking on their behalf, and that is why I am happy to be here in this capacity to serve people, our people at this time in this capacity of Ombudsman.” “I’m going to do my best to make people feel comfortable for the time I’m going to be in the office. Yes, I’m acting now ,and not because I’m acting means I’m not going to do what I’m supposed to be doing .The Ombudsman Act gives me the right to investigate, to mediate, to make sure that the persons who are bringing their situations to my office, they will be able to be served, and served in a professional way and not only professional but confidential.” According to him, any person working within the office of the Ombudsman have to take an oath of secrecy and an oath of office.
“Even down to the point of the cleaner; any staff working in that office have to take an oath because people’s information is serious serious business …and I’m going to say this; already speaking there is going to be some changes to strengthen the act.” Bishop Williams informed that he would be reaching out to the Regional Ombudsman Institution to inform about the acting ombudsman appointment in St. Kitts and start to get correspondence going “because for six years nobody heard from us.” Additionally, he said he would also check on the regional legislation concerning the office “because one thing I would like to see personally in the Act, there’s no space for an oath to be taken for the ombudsman… and I would like to see legislation going forward to have an oath for the Ombudsman…” The Acting Ombudsman underscored his dedication to public service.“Sometimes people can’t see beyond their political hats and that stuff, and I want to tell people that I am here to serve.
I’ve always been serving persons even within our New Birth Gospel Tabernacle …I don’t really care what political side you’re on; we’re here to serve God, you now people have their own opinion and we get along very well…for me personally because I must say to individuals, those who do continue to exercise their rights as a voter that that is good for them. I have taken a decision, my own personal decision, that I’m not a voter anymore, and I did not vote in the last election.
I took a position of prayer and I think that I’m going to continue in that position and praying for our country. I was some way away [during the last election]; not away as in outside of the federation.” Responding to a critic’s comment that he voted for the government and so he was appointed, Bishop Williams stated: “Only if somebody voted in my name but I was nowhere close to the polling booth.
I did not know anything of the process. Where I was, I did not know who won or who lost; [it was] only after I came back down to civilization I was told of whatever happened. So, there was no clue, there was no technology that I had to find out whatever.
I took a position of prayer, and I think going forward, I’m going to continue that way.” He added: “and actually I was going to make that decision. I went to the electoral office to try and see how I could get off my name. [I don’t] know how come it get on so easy and you can’t get it off, and they tell me like it can’t happen.
They say if you move for one area and they go to another area, they could object to you or whatever. Well, ah – LOCAL NEWS – 3 move now so I’m hoping they reject me name.” He alluded that he took such a personal decision after realizing that there are people who put a monetary price on their democratic right.
“I took up on a principle after because when I realize what’s happening with people just selling their vote, I took that personal. Look, this is a right that people fight for …when I hear my great aunt talk about back then they couldn’t vote …and they had to fight for the right to vote …and then people coming now to sell their vote for $500…” Bishop Williams remarked further: “I will pray for those doing it [voting]…I know friends of mine from all political parties got upset with me when I said I’m not voting.” Front Page Photo: Bishop Cyprian Williams of New Birth Gospel Tabernacle-now the newly appointed Acting Ombudsmanseen during a prayer demonstration outside Government Headquarters on Church Street in November 2017 .
He said to reporters in part: “…I’m just here this morning to pray for our land, pray for our leaders that God will; give them wisdom and guidance as they govern the affairs of this land of St. Christopher and Nevis …”
