The Constitutional Commission’s completed report and recommendations expected to be released this week will unlikely be handed over to the government until next week, Prime Minister Perry Christie told reporters yesterday.
The commission appointed last year by the prime minister has heard recommendations from a number of stakeholders and ordinary citizens on changes that should be made to the country’s constitution.
The 13-member body’s work was originally expected to be completed and those recommendations shared with the Bahamian people three months ago; however, the deadline was extended to this month ahead of the country’s 40th Independence Celebrations.
But Mr. Christie, who is headed to Trinidad and Tobago for the Caricom Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM), said he now expects to receive the commission’s report upon his return this weekend.
“The report is expected around now,” the prime minister said.
“I’m not sure that the printing is complete. I know that the report was being written and at the completion they were supposed to have it printed and presented to us and so I expected it around now. In fact, I was anticipating that since I am leaving for Trinidad [today] for CHOGM that I would be formally given it upon my return as opposed to having it presented to someone in my absence.”
Last week, Mr. Christie postponed a scheduled appearance before the commission and then subsequently opted out of appearing before the body after he decided that it was unnecessary for him to address the commission mere weeks after Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson presented the government’s position to the body.
At the time, the prime minister said in a statement that there will be ample time and opportunity for him to speak on the matter including the way forward for constitutional reform, after he would have taken guidance from the commission’s report.
“I have informed the commission that I would be obliged if I can be of any personal assistance on any particular questions before it hands over its recommendations to the government.”
A constitutional referendum is expected to take place later this year.
