EBC, speak with before relabeling constituencies

In my submission to the National Advisory Committee on Constitution Reform I required the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to hold public assessments before the identifying of constituencies for the basic and regional elections in Trinidad and Tobago. In the 3rd successive report from the EBC it declined to supply the suitable name for the constituency in South Arima. The previous name designated to this constituency was Arouca South, which was inexplicably altered to D’Abadie/ O’Meara– and now to Malabar/Mausica. As we commemorate the 136th anniversary of the giving of the Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1888 to the district, it is now painfully apparent that the EBC’s unilateral choice to divide the district has actually outraged Arimians. To make matters worse, no reference was made from D’Abadie/ O’Meara at the continuous events since there is a clear lack of knowledge by some that this constituency belongs to the district. 4 chosen councillors in the 11-member Council (7 chosen and 4 designated aldermen) come from the D’Abadie/ O’Meara constituency. While I acknowledge that the EBC makes every effort to call constituencies as far as possible to locations that consist of most of electors, the EBC’s unilateral choice concerning Arima not just goes versus the grain of its democratic required, however likewise contradicts the abundant history and culture of the district and the constituency’s seasonal recognition as “Arimians”. It is for that reason not unexpected that the EBC has actually now discovered itself involved in debate over its strategies to need returning officers to state their celebration subscription. Once again I send that this imbroglio might have been prevented if, in accordance with the concept of representative democracy, there was assessment with individuals. One acknowledges that when an assessment happens, it does not always suggest that all the recommendations are accepted, however a minimum of the EBC would have obtained the suitable technique to carry out. My call is for the EBC to hold assessments twice a given duration; and this requirement must be plainly mentioned in the Representation of the Peoples Act, as exists with Regional Health Authorities, where under the act, they are needed to hold a public online forum once a year. The EBC has a great record when it pertains to the conduct of elections in Trinidad and Tobago and I myself am on record as singing its appreciation when I functioned as basic secretary of individuals’s National Movement (PNM). I rely on the EBC commissioners would consider my recommendation with regard to the name of the constituency– Arima South/D’Abadie.

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