KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Minister of Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte says the work being carried out to transition the nation from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic is greater than 50 % full.
The newest transfer was tabling the Structure (Modification) (Republic) Invoice, 2024, in December final yr.
Malahoo Forte stated the work to reform the Structure is “not nearly speak, and it really begins when the Invoice is earlier than the Parliament.”
“You’ll be able to solely change the provisions of the Structure by a Invoice amending these provisions. With the Invoice within the Parliament, we’re greater than 50 % alongside the best way. I might say that when the evaluation is full, the following factor is debating and passing the Invoice within the Home of Representatives,” she stated.
The Invoice is at present earlier than a Joint Choose Committee of Parliament. Following evaluation, a report will likely be produced that can inform the controversy within the Homes of Parliament.
Following passage of the Invoice within the Home of Representatives, it might then be despatched to the Senate.
The Minister defined that if the Senate doesn’t full its vote on the Invoice inside a month, as prescribed by the Structure, it is going to be deemed to be rejected, and the Invoice will likely be returned to the Home.
“We’re going to be overtaken by the Normal Election. The nice factor is that the alteration course of within the Structure acknowledges that, too, and so the work will be carried out over totally different Parliaments.
“So, we’re greater than midway each critically and qualitatively, as a result of we’ve the Invoice in Parliament; I might say it’s the greatest achievement we’ve made, thus far, within the means of reforming the Structure to transition to a Republic,” Malahoo Forte stated.
