Dr Friday to move motion for debate on electoral reform

OPPOSITION LEADER, Dr Godwin Friday will move a motion for debate on electoral reform in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at the next sitting of Parliament.

Friday rose in Parliament on Monday to give notice of his intention and held a document in his hand which he said was a draft copy of what he intended to have tabled as a document of the House.

“What I wish Mr Speaker, is to ensure that this Honourable House engages in a debate on this matter when the time comes. . I am giving formal notice here, but I will follow procedure and the rules,” he said.

He described it as “a timely matter” that should be debated in the House, given the approaching general elections and concerns about the problems that took place in the electoral system at the previous elections.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in response, said he was not aware of whether the petitioners in the Election Petitions case intended to appeal the judgement that was made by Justice Stanley John on March 21.

Justice John dismissed both petitions and awarded cost to the respondents.

The Prime Minister said that if the intention is to appeal, care has to be taken in any debate so that lawmakers do not address matters that are still before the court.