PHILIPSBURG: --- Chairman of Parliament in the opening of public meeting of parliament gave lengthy elucidation on the current political situation since September 23rd when the Council of Ministers issued a national decree to invoke article 59 of the constitution to dissolve the parliament of St. Maarten.
Deputy Prime Minister Wycliffe Smith appeared in parliament where he listed out the facts in the current political situation.
September 23rd submitted a draft LB to invoke article 59 of the constitution, he said that the Council of Ministers carefully prepared LB-1 after consultation with the Central Voting Bureau and Electoral Council. Smith said the Governor accepted the LB- 2 but also gave recommendations, where the Council of Ministers submitted a second LB which was also signed by the Governor. He said the Central Bureau then objected to the second draft LB outlining the violations of laws and international treaties.
He said that the voting bureau also received a declaration of a new political party which could not be registered, and they also pointed out the violations of the treaties.
He said the COM took the letter seriously and then decided to amend LB-2 by ensuring all dates are respected including treaties and laws.
Smith said that the members of voting bureau made their positions available. He said after consultations with the governor, central voting bureau, and electoral council, they submitted LB-3 with the amended dates, LB-3 will be published in the national gazette. Smith said the Central Voting Bureau also sent them a letter agreeing to oversee the election slated for January 2020 now that the dates for the scheduled election are not in contravention of the laws.
