The Executive council of the Tobago House of Assembly remains in place until the deadlock over selecting a Presiding officer can be resolved.

Addressing the matter at this afternoon’s Post Cabinet media briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says there’s no role for him or the President to intervene in the process of selecting a Presiding Officer, adding that he hopes the matter can be resolved in short time.

“I trust that very soon, all the parties in Tobago will realise what has to be done, find a way to get it done and we fix whatever problem they have in Tobago. If the Parliament is required, the government stands ready to approach the Parliament to fix whatever problem the Tobago House of Assembly has,” he said. 

If that is not done, the THA Act will have to go before the Parliament for amendments, given the existing law makes no provision for a tie. 

Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis also said on Thursday that he intends to recommend that there be an uneven number of seats for the next polls, in order to avoid another deadlock.

Meanwhile, the 12 elected Assemblymen were sworn in by President Paula-Mae Weekes during a ceremony at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort earlier today.