In Jamaica, opposition considering boycott of constitutional reform committee citing lack of consultation on recent constitutional amendments

The People's National Party (PNP) Opposition is boycotting scheduled activities of the Constitutional Reform Committee in protest of what they deem an undermining of that body, which was not consulted in amending the constitution to allow for the extension of the retirement age of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the auditor general. [...] The Opposition has been up in arms since [25 July] when the Government tabled in Parliament and passed the Constitution (Amendment of Sections 96[1] and 121[1]) Act, 2023, which moves the retirement age of the DPP and the auditor general from 60 to 65. Golding took issue with the fact that no prior consultation was sought with him as Opposition leader nor with the Constitutional Reform Committee on the matter. He had also warned that the Opposition would be reconsidering their participation on the Constitutional Reform Committee. The Opposition has two members on that committee — Senator Donna Scott Mottley and Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton. [...] "This amendment to the constitution was never brought to, or even mentioned at the committee that is looking at constitutional reform. They were completely bypassed, which shows scant regard and indeed amounts to disrespect and an undermining of the integrity of the work of that committee in reviewing the constitution and proposing amendments to the constitution," he said.
Read the full article here: Jamaica Observer