Cabinet To Explore Options To Break Deadlock In Tobago, PM Says

February 3, 2021

Cabinet To Explore Options To Break Deadlock In Tobago, PM Says

Two draft amendments could go before the Cabinet in the coming days, seeking to resolve the current impasse following last month’s Tobago House Of Assembly Elections.

Speaking at a press conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said the proposals will look at either assigning an authority for someone (like the President, perhaps) to call another election in a case where there is a deadlock, or to remove the possibility of a repeat by amending the amount of seats in Tobago to 15, instead of 12.

An uneven number will make it impossible for another tie to occur.

After Cabinet deliberates and decides on the amendments, which are being drafted by Attorney General Faris Al Rawi, it will go to the Parliament.

“Once the Parliament agrees to put into law such amendments, then that will now authorise the Election and Boundaries Commission to treat with Tobago in a seat arrangement that is different to what it is now,” the PM added.

“Stay out of Tobago’s Business, PM”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding breaking the deadlock in Tobago, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused him over overstepping.

“The Prime Minister is totally wrong. There is no need for Parliamentary intervention to change the law. There is no need for EBC intervention to change boundaries. There is no need for fresh elections. There is no need for the previous Executive Council to remain in office,” she said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

She added: “The use of the existing law to break the THA tie will permit a new Executive Council to be appointed thereby ensuring that the democratic will of the people is respected. In this way public money can be spent in accordance with the democratic will of the people by a new Executive Council of the THA as opposed to the previous Executive Council of the THA.”