St. George’s, July 3, 2012 – The election of officers to the Women’s Arm of the ruling National Democratic Congress has been squashed by the party’s executive.

But, according to a petition that is being circulated by the women, they are “determined to proceed as a duly constituted body.’’

The members took up positions on the executive of the Women’s Arm following elections on June 9.

However, the elections were taken up at a recent meeting of senior party brass of the NDC’s national executive. They ruled that the elections were null and void.

The action was taken because of a decision of the national executive in May to suspend the holding of elections for all organs of the party until certain measures are put in place.

As well, although all constituencies were supposed to have delegates at the meeting and elections of the women’s group, reports are that only selected constituencies were invited.

The decision to annul the Women’s Arm election was taken at a June 28 meeting of the NDC national executive. Party leader and Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, objected to the decision.

The group of women, in their petition which was read publicly and distributed for signing Sunday at an event in the prime minister’s constituency in St. Patrick East, described the decision as “unconstitutional,’’ promising not to adhere to it.

Prime Minister Thomas, who spoke at Sunday’s event, urged the women to continue organizing groups of females in various constituencies, especially now in the run up to general elections that are constitutionally due by next year.