In todays Trinidad Guardian AG: Election reform will empower voters Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has dismissed mounting public criticism of sweeping changes to the electorial process proposed in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014. In a telephone interview yesterday evening Ramlogan said the “revolutionary” ammendments to the Constitution would serve to empower citizens by increasing their role in the elections of MPs and the overall government. “These changes do not deprive any citizen of their fundamental rights. In fact, it seeks to add to those rights by giving them the ability to not only hire their MPs but also fire them,” he added. Ramlogan also said the provision dealing with the right of recall for MPs who have served three years of their elected terms, would introduce a new dynamic in local politics. “The right of recall is a sword of damocles that will hang over the heads of MPs to keep them in check and ensure they perform,” he explained. Refering to the segment of the legislation dealing with runoff polls for candidates who fail to attain 50 per cent of votes cast in general elections, Ramlogan said that would ensure that both government and Opposition MPs do not neglect parts of their constituencies. He noted that once passed by Parliament, the provision would boost small political parties, whose minority support would be a deciding factor in a runoff poll between the top two candidates in a constituency. [ Click the link to read this article in full guardian.co.tt/news/2014-08-06/ag-election-reform-will-empower-voters
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 13:45:00 +0000
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