PHILIPSBURG--The Independence for St. Martin Foundation (ISMF) has submitted a petition calling for a new referendum to be held on the constitutional future of St. Maarten. The foundation wants the referendum to be held this year.
The petition was presented to the Parliament of St. Maarten on Tuesday, January 31, Foundation President Joseph H. Lake Jr., said in a press release.
Members of the Foundation made the presentation at the House of Parliament around 10:30am.
Representing the Foundation were Lake Jr., Drs. Rhoda Arrindell, Fabian Adekunle Badejo, Elton Jones and Shujah Reiph. Some 30 persons, including several Members of Parliament signed the petition, said Lake, Jr.
The last constitutional referendum in St. Maarten took place in June 2000. “The call for a referendum [in St. Maarten – Ed] according to the St. Maarten constitution is the prerogative of the territory’s Parliament. Parliament, therefore, has the authority and power to convene a new referendum,” Lake Jr. said.
