By Okoye Henry
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – There are 13 provisions in the Jamaican Constitution that will require change before the country can transition from the current constitutional monarchy to become a republic; minister of legal and constitutional affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, disclosure, and said that a nationwide referendum is also required where the people will have to go to the polls to vote for or against the process to “abolish the British monarchy and establish the Republic of Jamaica.”
“Sometime next year, if not, then early in the following [year], we will be going to a referendum. A lot of work [has to be done] before we get there, because we would have to design the ballot, let the people know the details of what is in the Bill and to let all of you have your say,” Forte outlined.
Minister Forte was addressing the first national meeting of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Jamaica at the Montego Bay Community College in St James on Saturday, February 25.
The minister urged the young people to “put yourselves in a place to have your say in this change. So, if you have not registered to vote, please do so.”
Minister Forte said that the process of transitioning to a republic “is designed to be a slow one because when you introduce the Bill to make the amendments, the constitution says three months must pass between the introduction of the Bill and the commencement of the debate on the Bill. It also says that three months must pass between the conclusion of the debate on the Bill and the vote on it [because] these provisions are specially protected, and it requires you to think and think again about the kind of changes you want to make,” minister Forte pointed out.
The minister explained that the next step in the process is to formally establish a Constitutional Reform Committee aimed at building consensus among the government and the opposition as well as the public, through expert guidance and consultation.
The consultative committee will be comprised of representatives from the government and opposition, the attorney general, constitutional law experts, including persons from academia, and the private sector.
The JCI’s first national meeting was held from February 24 to 26 under the theme: ‘#REFOCUS- Driven by Purpose,’ and included presentations from chapter members across the country on the rebuilding, rebranding and refocusing of the organisation.
The 2023 National President for JCI Jamaica, Odell Marsh, said that part of the organisation’s objectives is to play a greater role in nation-building and with Jamaica at a critical state of its development, it is important that the body engages the ministry of legal and constitutional affairs.
“If we are properly informed of the process that the government is going to undertake (to become a republic], then we, in our spaces will be able to adequately play our role to advocate and advance that process and to say to young people, that you need to get on board,” Marsh pointed out.
JCI Jamaica is a non-profit organisation comprised of young people, ages 18 to 40, who are engaged and committed to creating an impact in their communities.
