PHILIPSBURG:--- Off the heels of the 3rd anniversary of St. Maarten, in its own right, becoming a constituent state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (October 10th) and the observance/celebration of St. Maarten's Day (November 11th), the draft Electoral Reconciliation Ordinance (submitted June 2013) has been amended to include: an explanation memorandum for further clarification and embodiment/comprehension.
The principal aim of the draft Ordinance is to ensure the highest average method for optimum proportionality between votes and seats in Parliament as required by the Constitution and provide a pragmatic solution that will remove the present anomaly where non-elected members of Parliament could declare themselves as "independent", align with a different party list and render the fall of Government.
Within the coming week(s) renewed efforts will be made to ascertain the opinion and esteemed input of the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament (of the Draft Ordinance) - - with the resolve for introduction, support, and ratification by Parliament.
Click here to view the amended Draft Electoral Reconciliation Ordinance.
