COP wants People Act amended

He said the ruling confirmed the COP’s long-held view of a need for certainty of what to do in the event of certain situations affecting the conduct of an election in TT. “The outcome makes the case for careful and decisive reform of our electoral and governance systems, including constitution reform to guarantee the right of citizens to play their role in participatory democracy: to have a real say in decisions that affect them and the society,” said Mahabir. “This is what is at the heart of the issue that the EBC’s decision only helped to bring to the front burner.

The court decisions are not a vindication of any party or candidate. It is an alarm bell about the weaknesses and shortcomings of our political system,” he added.

Mahabir said now the citizens must demand that Parliament urgently amends the Act to remove the grey areas that led to the EBC’s decision and to ensure the registration of political parties and party and campaign finance regulation.