Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--"I think some type of assessment document should be proposed in the committee on areas that need to be assessed to form an assessment, because if Parliament has to assess itself we have to decide upon what we will be assessing ourselves." That statement from National Alliance (NA) deputy leader Member of Parliament (MP) Silveria Jacobs summed up Tuesday's meeting of Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee on Integrity.
The ad hoc committee, chaired by independent MP Cornelius de Weever, is set to meet again in two weeks, at which time committee members are expected to table a proposal on the way forward and give comments on the establishment of a Code of Conduct for Parliament.
De Weever submitted a proposal for a code of conduct he had formulated with elements of similar codes in place in the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. NA leader MP William Marlin suggested the draft code be placed as an incoming document to the committee for MPs to review for possible discussion in the next meeting.
Parliament Chairman MP Dr. Lloyd Richardson shared a number of questions and areas he believes the ad hoc committee should pay attention to and find solutions for, such as the method to be used to regulate MPs' behaviour; will the permanent committee on integrity (when established) have disciplinary powers; the form sanctions will take; to whom findings will be reported; and what exactly will be the role of the "integrity czar" when one is appointed for the country.
Richardson said there obviously was an "amplified role" for the Electoral Council in the integrity process. This council should see to the screening of candidates for Parliament prior to elections, instead of their being elected and then integrity issues surface, he said.
Democratic Party ((DP)) leader MP Sarah Wescot-Williams said the ad hoc committee had "a lot of work cut out for us." She recommended MPs look at the areas of integrity laxity as pinpointed in the various integrity reports and prioritise the areas to tackle and remedy first in "a plan of approach."
Independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo and MP Maurice Lake urged fellow ad hoc committee members to present proposals and positions in the next meeting.
Tuesday's meeting had as agenda point "discussion on setting the parameters for the Permanent Integrity Committee."
