Prime Minister Dr.Keith Rowley says the Tobago population will head back to the polls to solve the current impasse taking place after the six/six-win by the People’s National Movement(PNM) and Progressive Democratic(PDP) in the January 25, 2021, Tobago House of Assembly elections.
Speaking at a media briefing on February 3, Dr. Rowley says to resolve the matter, an amendment of the Tobago House of Assembly Bill will head to Parliament for debate in “a few weeks.”
He says it the only way forward to deal with the issue.
He says the amendments will address who will have the authority to deal with a similar issue in the future and the number of electoral areas in Tobago. At the moment there are 12 seats. He says the Cabinet will consider a proposal for the number to be increased to 15.
He says the figure comes out of a consultation that took place across Tobago as part of the Tobago Autonomy Bill.
He says the government has sufficient numbers to pass the proposed amendments. The amended bill will give the Election and Boundaries Commission the authority to do its research and present its findings on the new number of seats.
When that is complete, Tobagonians will head back to the polls, Dr. Rowley says.
Reporter: Camille McEachnie