SVG Constitution – St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution

Archive for November 6th, 2009

Some Reasons to Vote Yes for the SVG Constitution 2009

Below are just some of the reasons to vote yes for the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009.

1. The preamble begins with the words “Whereas the Peoples of the Islands of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, who are known as Vincentians have affirmed their Nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the Freedom and dignity of man”

2.  A new chapter spelling out the “Guidelines of State Policy” which emphasis, among other things, that “the people” (not the Queen) are sovereign and elevate a host of progessive consideration to constitutional status, in the people’s interest.

3.  The new constitution does not take away or subtract one single fundamental right and freedom which we enjoy today.  In fact it adds to the bundle of rights and freedoms, including: the right to effectively restoring the death penalty; the right to private property; the right to collective bargaining; and the explicit right to freedom of the press.

4.  The new Constitution establishes a home-grown non-executive President (to replace the Governor General) with consitutional safeguards

5.  The establishment of an Independent Human Rights Commission (to address abuses of citizens human rights); an Independent Integrity Commission (to oversee “the integrity of parliamentarians, senior public/police officers); an Independent Ombudsman (to address the administrative abuses of peoples’ rights); an Independent Parliamentary Commission (to exercise the Perogative of Mercy and other functions); an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and an Independent Chief Electoral Officer; an effective system of Local Government with special provisions of Grenadines.

6.  The strengthening of the Judiciary by replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice and providing for a security of tenure for Magistrates and thus for their Independence.

7.  Deepening and widening Parliamentary democracy and representative government by: A mixed electoral system of constituency elections and proportional representation nationally; participation by civil society in parliamentary debates; compulsory reportage by elected representatives; extraordinary oversight powers over government spending by the opposition dominated Public Accounts Committee; increasing the size of the parliament from 21 top 27 members; limiting the size of cabinet to 12 members plus the prime minister; setting a more or less fixed date for general elctions after the expiration of 4 years 9 months of the 5 year term; outlawing “crossing the floor” in the House;  making the Prime Ministed removable after a vote of  no-confidence in the House and before the general elections following; permitting ministers of religion to contest elections;  and allowing Vincentians with dual or multiple citizenships to run for elections.

8.  Reducing the powers of the Prime Minister and increasing the powers of the Minority Leader (Leader of the Opposition).

9.  Makig the appointments to the Public Service Commissions less political and more transparent.

10.  Establishing the Teaching Service Commission.

11.  Denying citizenship for foreigners based on “marriages of convenience” between them and nationals.

12.  Making access to the High Court on constitutional matters much easier.

13.  Facilating deeper regional integration.

14.  Protecting the range of public offices from political appointment or supervision

15.  Building mechanisms for more extensive consultation and consensus-making in and between several public authorities.

16.  The new constitution is a Women’s Charter, a Youth Charter, a Workers Charter, a poor People’s Charter, a Believer’s Charter, a Charter for the Elderly, a Children’s Charter, a Property-Owner’s Charter, a Charter for Justice and Freedom, a Charter for Democracy and Good Governance.