Deputy Prime Minister reports to St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly
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| St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly in session last Wednesday |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 29TH 2007 (CUOPM) – Chairman of the Parliamentary Constitutional and Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, has expressed thanks to the general public and all members of the various committees in the electoral reform process.
“I am thankful to all members of all the committees for their due diligence and patriotism in this critical service to their Country. They must be highly commended for the high quality of work produced,” said Condor, in laying The Electoral Reform Consultative Committee Report and the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee Report on the Table of the National Assembly.
Mr. Condor, who is also Leader of Government Business in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, expressed thanks to all the Nationals at home and abroad for turning out in large numbers, and for full participation.
“To all those who called in or made written submissions and those who served on the various committees or played a part in any way in securing and maintaining the democratic legacy of our fair land we give highest commendation,” said Condor, who added: “A legacy which is a rich heritage and tradition that was established by the Founding Fathers some 75 years ago.”
In laying the Reports, Mr. Condor thanked all members of the several Committees, whose diligence and tireless work have brought us to this stage of the Electoral Reform process.
~~Adz:Right~~ In reporting to lawmakers and the nation, Mr. Condor said: “It is because of their diligence and efforts to be thorough and transparent, why I believe that we are somewhat behind in our schedule.
We submit however, that this unprecedented effort by Government, for openness (i.e.) transparency, accountability and full involvement of our people in the process of Electoral Reform, will be seen as just that.
The Electoral Reform Consultative Committee was ably chaired by Mr. Elvis Newton. Members of that committee painstakingly and openly consulted widely with nationals at home and abroad, during the period September 4th 2006- January 31, 2007, and thereafter delivered a thorough report of those deliberations to the (NAERBC) National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee on February 1st, 2007.
On the 3rd July 2007, as Chairman of the Parliamentary Constitutional and Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, I received the Report from the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, chaired by, Mr. Raphael Archibald MBE, this report was presented following in-depth discussions, and extensive debates in a group of, knowledgeable, able, intelligent, loyal and well intentioned nationals, representative of a wide cross section of society.
Since receiving the Report from the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, the Parliamentary Constitutional and Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee, convened over the period 13th July to 21st September 2007, to discuss the Report and made recommendations to the Attorney General who in turn transmitted those recommendations to Hon. David Thompson Legal Draftsman, made available through the Commonwealth, culminating in the Bill been presented today for the first reading.
The Parliamentary Committee has also made recommendations:
That the age qualification for Membership to Parliament should be reduced from age twenty-one (21) years to eighteen (18) years.
Clause 27 of the constitution (The Bryant Clause) should be repealed and
that Clause 28 which addresses Dual Citizenship should be amended. Madam Speaker, the Constitutional amendments will be presented to Parliament in due course.
So that the general public is reminded, of and be fully cognizant of the individuals and organizations involved, I wish to read into the record of this Honourable House the names of the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee
Mr. Elvis Newton (Chairman)
Mr. Clement “Bouncin” Williams
Mr. Clifford Thomas
Mr. Douglas Wattley
Mr. Elvin Bailey
Mr. Clive Bacchus
Ms. Mutryce Williams
The National Advisory Electoral and Boundaries Committee
Mr. Raphael Archibald, MBE (Chairman)
St. Kitts Christian Council – Archdeacon Valentine Hodge
St. Kitts and Nevis Evangelical Associations – Rev. Dr. Oldain Charles
St. Kitts – Nevis Trades & Labour Union – Mr. Stanley Franks
St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce – Mr. Charles Brisbane
St. Kitts Teachers Union- Mr. Clyde Christopher
St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association – Mrs. Patricia Dublin – Lewis
Director of Youth – Mr. Geoffrey Hanley
Parliamentary Political Parties –
CCM- Lawyer Theodore Hobson
NRP- Lawyer Herman Liburd
SKNLP- Mrs. Eugenie Byron-Condor
PAM- Invited but refused in writing to take part.
I would like to recap a little, for the benefit of the General Public.
The Labour Party in opposition and in Government, has over the years, repeatedly called for, and promised Electoral Reform of a system that was manipulated, corrupted, some might say, by the (P.A.M) People’s Action Movement in Government in 1983-1984. This was done without due notice or discussion with Parliament or the General Public.
Over the past several years, there were Commonwealth Missions at the request of this Government.
However, it was finally the mission of 28th September 2005 that undertook an in-depth assessment of our Electoral System and recommended a way forward, in their subsequent Report.
It is this report, the National Advisory Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee Report, that has constituted the background and basis for the process being undertaken by Government. I feel compelled to state here that the Commonwealth has been, and continues to be an integral part of this process. It must be noted also, that the OAS is giving tangible support to the reform process.
You should be reminded also that this present process started in earnest immediately following the 2004 General Elections, with the re-establishment of Parliamentary Constitutional, and Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee.
The passing of the resolution to establish the four committees and the tabling of the White Paper on Electoral Reform, cleared the way for an official launch on 23rd August 2006 at the St. Kitts Marriott.
At this Launch there was representation of all Political Parties in Parliament, and support from CARICOM in the person of Ambassador Collin Grandson, Assistant Secretary General and from the Commonwealth Secretariat in the person of Ms. Juliette Solomon. Again, a demonstration of an open and all inclusive process. There was overwhelming and unqualified support for the initiative and the process from all concerned.
Madam Speaker, with the laying of these two (2) Reports on the Table of this Honourable House this morning all documents will become available to the General Public; inclusive of the proposed Bill, following its first reading, as is the practice in parliamentary transparency, and accountability by this Government. This process then will ensure availability of all documents to the public at large
Again for the record Madam Speaker, I wish to name the members of the Parliamentary Constitutional and Electoral Reform and Boundaries Committee.
Hon. Sam Condor- Chairman
Hon. Dwyer Astaphan
Hon. Dennis Merchant
Hon. Vance Amory
Hon Patrice Nisbett
Hon. Shawn Richards
