Senate to confirm electoral commission next week
Josephine Tamai
A special sitting of the Senate has been scheduled for Thursday, July fifth. News Five has learnt that four resolutions will be tabled, one relating to the appointment of members of the Election and Boundaries Commission which is chaired by Doug Singh. The topic was first brought up by Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, during a press conference earlier this month. Briceño pointed out that members of the Commission had yet to be sworn in since their term had expired. For that to occur there must be a Senate confirmation. The media asked Chief Election Officer Josephine Tamai about the matter today.
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
“I haven’t seen any in terms of appointment for four members of the commission because it was only four members that their term had expired at the end of April. So the chairman’s term is still ongoing. He still has a couple more years before his appointment comes to an end. So basically that is how we are functioning. But again even when it comes to the commission, the law specifies that the commission could impose any of their duties upon myself. So as the Chief Elections Officer I know we will have an exercise so we take up the responsibility to liaise with the political parties and get persons on board to ensure that we conduct a successful exercise.”
Hipolito Novelo
“These four persons will be reappointed?”
Josephine Tamai
“Well I am not certain.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Does this affect the work of the department and the re-registration?”
Josephine Tamai
“Well not necessarily because the department is the one who does the ground work in any event. The laws are clear. You know exactly what steps are to be taken in order to insure that there is an exercise. Because it is our officers who go out and do the ground even when there is an exercise, whenever there is an election or anything of that sort. The commission basically policies but again we already have the rules and regulations in place so it does not affect.”
