High Court Dismisses UDP’s Red Color Lawsuit
In the months leading up to the 2025 general election, internal disputes within the United Democratic Party (UDP) became a major political topic. The tension centered on the use of the color red, which had been assigned to two different UDP factions.
Party leader Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow and deputy leader Alberto August challenged the Elections and Boundaries Commission and the Attorney General over this color assignment. Just days before the election, Barrow filed for judicial review questioning whether members of the Alliance for Democracy could rightfully use the color red.
High Court Ruling
After seven months of legal proceedings, the High Court dismissed the UDP leaders’ case. The lawyer for the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Hector Guerra, explained the reasons behind the court’s decision.
“The judge’s finding focused on two primary points, the first had to do with the mootness of the challenge. The challenge by the time it came up for challenge was already moot. So, the decision was handed down by the elections and boundaries department on the twenty-fifth. August and Barrow filed a claim for judicial review early March. They filed a claim but did not push it. Elections were held on the twelfth of March. The results were that the PUP came out victorious winning twenty-six of the thirty-one seats.”
Outcome and Implications
The High Court concluded that the controversy no longer had practical effect since the election had already been completed and results declared in favor of the People’s United Party (PUP). The ruling effectively ended a seven-month legal dispute within the UDP over its symbolic color.
Author’s Summary: After months of party conflict and legal maneuvering, the High Court ended the UDP’s internal color dispute, ruling the issue moot after PUP’s election victory.