Select Committee grapples with electoral system
By Patrick Denny
Parliament's Special Select Committee will continue its consideration of the recommendations of the Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) on the electoral system when it meets today. Though there was consensus that the system of proportional representation to be used should be capable of achieving the elements of proportionality and geographical and gender representation, the members agreed that they should have the benefit of the verbatim reports of the CRC when it resumed its discussion. When it began its consideration of the recommendations on the electoral system, members of the committee struggled with determining the intent of the commission as it related to three of its recommendations. Stated among the recommendations at page 210 of the commission's report are: * the electoral system for the general elections should be a system of proportional representation which ensures that the proportion of seats achieved by each party is as close as possible to the proportion of seats in Parliament achieved by each party according to the proportion of votes it received from the electorate; * the electoral system should include an element of geographical representation; * proportional representation lists should be presented to the electorate in a manner that allows the voters to be sure which individuals they are electing to the National Assembly. It is the commission's view that this principle would be breached if lists are presented in alphabetical order or if crossing of the floor is permitted. The first of the three recommendations was agreed by consensus; the second by a 19:0 majority with one abstention; and the third by a 12:0 majority with eight abstentions. Members were concerned that the system to be adopted to allow for an element of geographical representation as well as the requirement of gender representation, should be compatible with proportional representation. There was also some discussion as to how the geographical representation was to be accomplished with some members expressing the view that it meant including on the list of candidates, individuals from the various regions. Another concern was that achieving the element of geographical representation might mean a return to the 'First Past the Post System' which was the intent of Article 160(2) of the Constitution. Others felt that there was no hint of any proposal for a mixed system given that the recommendations made proportional representation of paramount and singular importance. Present at Monday's meeting for the first time was Chief Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney-General's Chambers, Cecil Dhurjon, who has been assigned to the committee at its request. Committee chairman, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Reepu Daman Persaud, also reported to the committee that he had discussed with Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narain, the provision of the secretariat with the resources to enhance its capacity to support the work of the commission. He said that the clerk had promised to address the issue in consultation with Clerk of the committee, Maurice Henry. Persaud also announced that he would schedule an informal meeting of the parties represented on the committee to discuss the format of the secretariat this week before it is formally discussed. He indicated that it would be desirable for some agreement to be arrived at before the formal discussions. Although the parties are allowed to have their advisers, none of the four parties has so far taken advantage of this provision. Stabroek News understands, however, that in the light of Monday's discussions on the electoral system, the PNC and The United Force intended to have their advisers present at today's meeting.
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