PNM is bypassing the law and constitution in its new bill, says UNC leader

PM Keith Rowley is going to meet THA assembly-members, whereas UNC Leader Kamla Prasad accused PNM is bypassing the law and the constitution in its new bill.

PM Keith Rowley is going to meet THA assembly-members, whereas UNC Leader Kamla Prasad accused PNM is bypassing the law and the constitution in its new bill.
PM Keith Rowley is going to meet THA assembly-members, whereas UNC Leader Kamla Prasad accused PNM is bypassing the law and the constitution in its new bill.

Trinidad and Tobago: PM Keith Rowley is going to meet THA assembly-members, whereas UNC Leader Kamla Prasad accused PNM is bypassing the law and the constitution in its new bill.

She spoke on the THA Amendment Bill 2021, which the administration brought to Parliament for debate.

The Bill was announced in the House of Representatives by the PNM through a simple preponderance. This new bill, which the Opposition does not help, calls for fresh elections in Tobago and enhances Tobago’s seats or electoral districts from 12 to 15.

In the opposition, UNC joins the voices with strong, notable voices from in and out of Tobago to let the community understand that the current law provides an answer to the deadlock without going back to the polls.

The PDP in Tobago, the Tobago Arm of the T&T Chamber of Commerce, and several self-governing writers have all agreed that a new election is not the way to go.

In summary, the law states that the system is absent in the Tobago House of Assembly Standing Orders, then the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives must be used. The Standing Orders for the House of Representatives prescribe the method for taming a deadlock through the drawing of lots.

To summarize that, there exists a clear legal path to solve the current 6-6 THA deadlock through the drawing of lots appointed in the HOR Standing Order 4 (10). The THA can utilize the House Standing Order to draw lots as THA Standing Order 92 (1) allows this path.

When the House Standing Orders were amended under Kamla Persad’s government between 2010-15, Opposition Leader Keith Rowley praised it, but today he is against it.

The administration cannot introduce legislation that violates the rights accrued by Tobago’s elected Assemblymen in the last THA election through a simple majority bill as they have done.

This new bill passed by the PNM is assuming the constitutional duties and independence of the EBC by “instructing” the EBC to expand the number of seats (electoral districts) in Tobago from 12 to 15.

Click here for more news