(Trinidad Express) The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 has been passed.
A vote was taken at 4a.m in Parliament yesterday, following debate which began on Monday morning. Twenty three members voted for the bill, 14 against, and there was one abstention. Congress of the People Members of Parliament Winston Dookeran and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan voted against the Bill, and COP MP Rodger Samuel abstained, when called upon to vote. The COP is a member of the Peoples Partnership government. When debate began in Parliament at Tower D, International Waterfront, Port of Spain on Monday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she was allowing Government members to vote according to conscience, and released them from the doctrine of collective responsibility.
The Bill contains provisions for a two term limit for a Prime Minister, right to recall and a second ballot run-off.
“I cannot sit here and allow the next generation’s interest to be compromised by the politics of today.”
Dookeran on Monday night said as he announced that he would not be voting