PHILIPSBURG--The newly established Electoral Reform Committee has been mandated to deliver its final report by March 15, 2016, on the amendment or introduction of laws and regulation to bring about reform to the country’s existing electoral system.
The Committee, headed by Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister Julien Larmonie, was established on Wednesday, by ministerial decree by Prime Minister William Marlin.
Also serving on the Committee are former Lt. Governor and Parliament advisor Ralph Richardson, Government Legal Affairs Department Head Jules de Vries and General Affairs Ministry Secretary-General Hensley Plantijn.
The work plan of the Committee is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers by January 6, 2016. The plan will include the Committee’s timeline for delivering its results and final report by the March-15 deadline.
The establishment of the Committee was outlined in the national decree of December 14, which postponed the date of snap elections from February 9, to September 26, 2016. The Committee’s work is in line with the desire of the Coalition of Eight in Parliament and the William Marlin Cabinet to carry out electoral reformer before snap elections are held, and is seen as a vehicle to eliminate “ship jumping” – Members of Parliament abandoning their political parties to go independent.
The decree establishing the Committee will expire on October 31, 2016, the day the country’s Third Parliament is slated to take office following the September 26 snap elections.
