Once the Prime Minister calls the date for the local government election, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has assured that it will be ready,
Many suspect that the date will be called soon, after the Privy Council ruled against the Government’s extension of the term of incumbent local government representatives by a year without going to the electorate.
In a statement issued on Friday, the EBC said it is the mandate of the department (EBC) to conduct elections.
The commission’s legislative framework and day to day operational activities, allows for it to be in a constant state of readiness to conduct elections
But the EBC added, “It is not the responsibility of the EBC to determine a date for the conduct of an election.”
The commission was established as an independent entity to conduct elections in TT by Section 71 of the Constitution. Its chairman and members are appointed by the President, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader.
Section 71 (11) of the Constitution states, ” The registration of voters and the conduct of elections in every constituency shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the commission.”
While some of its employees are appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the EBC is authorized to recruit other people on a short-term basis.
These people perform functions that are largely related to registration of electors, administrative preparations for the conduct of elections and field operations throughout TT.
The legal and constitutional authority of the EBC to conduct elections in TT, is guided by four pieces of legislation.
They are the Representation of the People Act, EBC (Local Government) Act, Muncipal Corporations Act 1990 and the EBC (Local Government and Tobago House of Assembly Act 1996).