The first national decree promulgating the dissolution of parliament was dated November 3, 2017, LB-17/0575) with the first convening of the new parliament on January 31, 2018.
By decree of November 12th, one day before nomination day (kandidaatstelling), this decree was amended to establish the day of election on February 26th.
However, in the amended decree ( LB-17/0619), the first convening of the new parliament is now set for April 2nd, 2018, in gross violation of article 59 of the Constitution of St. Maarten.
The 3 month period, prescribed by the constitution has been exceeded with nearly 2 months, without explanation or motivation.
This is a flagrant disregard for the highest law of the land and sets a dangerous constitutional precedent.
What is more is that the government has persisted with the election, notwithstanding the public outcry and parliament’s numerous motions, condemning the election at this point. “Subtle approaches by me to address this matter have not yielded any results and the government will now have to assure the people of St. Maarten that this blunder will not haunt the election process or the outcome.”
S. A. Wescot-Williams, MP
