People’s National Party (PNP) candidate Paul Buchanan assured that God is on his side, as he pushes ahead with his constitutional challenge against the Prime Minister over the St Andrew West Central election results.
Buchanan secured a significant legal victory after the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, November 3, that his constitutional challenge against Prime Minister Andrew Holness should proceed to trial. The ruling clears the way for the matter to be heard by a three-member Constitutional Court panel, after the court rejected efforts by the Prime Minister’s legal team to have Buchanan’s constitutional motion dismissed. The matter will be heard from February 8 to 10, 2027.
In an emotional declaration of his determination to continue the legal fight, Buchanan said he was not intimidated by threats or attempts to influence him.
“Holness is not God. He’s certainly not above the law. I am a determined person,” Buchanan said.
He warned that the decision could have far-reaching political consequences, including the possibility of the Prime Minister’s election being overturned.
“For him to be called to account, that is something else. So, I fight on. I fight with God and he can do what he wants to do. I’m not susceptible to bribes, threats, nothing,” a defiant Buchanan told the Freedom Come Rain newspaper.
Buchanan, represented by attorney Hugh Wildman, is challenging the election results in the constituency, alleging serious irregularities, voter malpractice and widespread intimidation. Holness secured 7,054 votes to Buchanan’s 4,953—a margin of more than 2,000 votes in the September 3, 2024 general election.
“Earlier, I was overcome with emotion because it’s a lonely struggle. My party, I would have to say….they weren’t with me. Maybe they believe it’s too much of a mountain to climb,” he said shortly after the ruling on Tuesday.
Buchanan said the widespread perception that it would be impossible to secure justice in a legal challenge involving the Prime Minister, who has assumed the moniker ‘Bro-god’, had contributed to his isolation.
He maintained, however, that the court’s decision demonstrated that no one, including the head of government, was above the law.
“You know [there is] this common belief that you can’t get justice with the Prime Minister, so give it up. So, nobody was taking me on,” said Buchanan, a land economist and experienced electoral campaigner. Buchanan acknowledged that the case could have significant implications for the country’s governance, given that it involves a constitutional challenge to the election of a sitting Prime Minister.
“We are where we are and he now is feeling the heat because with this ruling, it’s a clear possibility that his election might be overturned,” he said.
He said the fact that the Supreme Court had refused to throw out the motion was itself significant, as the matter now moves towards a full hearing.
Buchanan wants the election to be declared illegal based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the right to free and fair elections. He us joined in the claim by Everton Sands, an outdoor agent and driver. Justice David Batts accepted submissions made on behalf of the applicants by Wildman.