MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Review of the Constitution.
The public meeting to discuss the current voting system in The Falkland Islands and whether there was a need for constitutional change was held on Tuesday night in the Town Hall. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Summers with the following councillors also in attendance:- Councillors Halford, Cockwell, Cheek, Clifton and Edwards. Chief Executive Dr Michael Blanch was present as were approximately 30 members of the public.
The meeting was discussing a report written by the Secretary General, Arthur Donahoe from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The proposal put forward by Mr Donahoe was to consider the possibility of a single constituency as opposed to the present system of separate votes for Stanley and Camp councillors. Concerns were raised that Camp would not be represented in this new system however Councillor Summer's highlighted Mr Donahoe's report stressing that there was a "likelihood" that candidates Resident in camp would continue to be elected under the new proposals.
The process of operating by consensus through the General Purpose Committee was criticised by the report saying it was "not a democratically principled way to operate and it is not the system envisaged by the Constitution". Mr Donahoe recommended scrapping the GPC and replacing it with a modified system allowing for more transparency and accountability.
There was debate on the possibility of a referendum being held for the public to decide between the proposed new system and the current voting procedure. Timing was discussed as to whether the referendum should he held before or after the General Election due to the changes in the constitution that would be required.
Mr Donahoe's report states " ..it is a rare event for citizens to have an opportunity to choose their electoral system. Such an opportunity is, in my view, now open to the citizens of the Falklands and should, I believe, be taken advantage of".
Source: FIBS
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!