Marigot: -- First Vice President Daniel Gibbs has officially taken up his position as Acting President in Interim of the Collectivity. Gibbs made the announcement at a press conference yesterday (Tuesday). Gibbs also confirmed that they received information on 10th April 2009 that the State Council has annulled the election of August 7th 2008 based on the pre-printed ballots that was used in the election of Frantz Gumbs. Gibbs said he wants to emphasize that the State Council did not sanction Senator Louis Constant Fleming for any types of misconduct or manipulation when he declared his support for Gumbs to take up the presidential seat he vacated when he was sanctioned in July last year. He said the council also did not retain the suggestion of irregularities with the composition of the executive council and as such it is not because the election of Gumbs is annulled that the executive council has to go also. Gibbs said since they have to re-elect a president they would also re-elect the executive council. Gibbs also acknowledged that so far the UP majority did not receive the official decision from the State Council. Asked how the UP plans to redeem their credibility with the population since this is the second sanction facing the UP in less than two years. Gibbs said that he never said the work was easy and that he also said the Collectivity is young and that they are learning as they go along. He said the group has committed themselves to continue to work in the interest of the island.
The President Interim said the reason he mentioned this is because he wants to bring an end to any type of suggestion that would relate to such. Gibbs said he does not intend to continue speaking about the decision of the State Council as the law has spoken. He said he intends to manage the island to the best of his ability.
Gibbs said the State Council has a maximum of 30 days to call a territorial council meeting where to elect another president. During this time Gibbs said he has taken the charge of acting president (interim). He said the decision of the State Council has not changed anything and there is no instability on the island. He said each and every person would continue to take up their responsibility of managing the island and the people should not get confused with other information that maybe circulating within the community.
