The swearing-in of Randy Baltimore as parliamentary representative for St. Philip's North has been postponed to next Friday following an election petition filed in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. According to Antigua News Room, the petition challenges the validity of Baltimore's by-election victory on March 16.
The petition was filed on March 20 by UPP Mobilisation Officer George Wehner, who argues that Baltimore was not legally qualified to contest the seat because he remained a public officer at the time of his nomination.
Correspondence from the Public Service Commission dated March 19 indicated that Baltimore submitted a resignation letter intended to take effect on February 20. However, the Commission found the resignation defective under Civil Service Regulation No. 28(1), which requires at least three months' notice. The Commission subsequently terminated his employment on March 9.
Wehner contends that Baltimore was therefore still a public officer on Nomination Day, rendering his candidacy unlawful and the election result invalid.
The case draws comparisons to a 2023 election petition filed by the ABLP against UPP MP for St. Mary's South Kelvin "Shugy" Simon, who faced a similar challenge over his civil servant status at the time of nomination. That petition was later dismissed after Simon resigned as MP before the court concluded its hearing.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressed the delay on his Browne and Browne programme on Saturday, confirming the postponement but dismissing the legal challenge outright. "It is a frivolous litigation and that is going nowhere," he said, urging the public to disregard the matter.
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan echoed that assessment, describing the petition as frivolous and vexatious. He noted that questions surrounding a public servant's resignation fall within the authority of the employer.
Baltimore, a former customs officer with nearly 30 years of service, won the March 16 by-election with 924 votes, representing approximately 69 percent of ballots cast. UPP candidate Alex Browne received 407 votes. Baltimore carried all seven polling divisions, recording his strongest performances in Willikies and Newfield.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation and retirement of Sir Robin Yearwood on February 18, marking 50 years since his first election to the seat. Yearwood was the longest-serving legislator in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth, having been elected to Parliament 11 consecutive times.
Prime Minister Browne confirmed that Baltimore's swearing-in is expected to proceed as planned next Friday.
