CRC to review method of appointment for Jamaica's president

   

The Constitutional Reform Committee is to review its recommendation regarding the method of appointment for the president as the formal Head of State of the Republic of Jamaica.

 

The CRC had proposed nomination of a candidate for president by the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, with a view to arriving at consensus before being confirmed by Parliament with a two thirds majority vote.

 

But co-chair of the committee, Marlene Malahoo Forte, said it has taken note of the numerous comments and criticisms, including from two former prime ministers. 

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Mrs. Malahoo Forte said, at the last meeting of the committee on September 18, presentations were also made by Jamaicans for Justice and the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society. 

 

She said the CRC will revise its recommendation based on the feedback. 

 

"The committee is carefully reconsidering the matter. Dr. Lloyd Barnett has been tasked by the committee to formulate a revised recommendation for consideration and submission. We are also revising an aspect of the recommendation about the method to remove the president from office in direct response to comments from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mark Golding," she advised. 

 

The committee's decision to reconsider its stance on excluding impeachment provisions from the reformed Constitution comes after intense public debate.