ST GEORGE’S – Grenada will vote in a referendum for a new constitution on October 27 this year with the authorities acknowledging the importance of the month in Grenadian history.
“Putting all things on the table… we have learnt that October is a month of great significant for Grenada, great things have happen in October and referendum day will be October 27.
“On the contrary setting 27th October for a referendum day is a matter of building the referendum into our history and using our history as a guide for going forward into the future,” said the Chairman of the Constitution Reform Advisory Committee (CRAC) Dr Francis Alexis.
A statement posted on the Grenada government website, notes that October 1983 is arguably the most traumatic period in recent Grenada history.
“Within a week, the nation lost its Prime Minister, several other cabinet ministers, leaders of business and labour, military personnel, school children and other civilians.
“In four years leading up to 1983, Grenada was ruled by the People’s Revolution Government (PRG) of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. The PRG came to power on March 13, 1979, after the New Jewel Movement (NJM) overthrew the government of the late Prime Minister, Sir Eric Gairy.”.
The statement noted that the PRG, despite accomplishments such as embarking on the construction of an international airport, and advances in literacy and health, was criticised by internal and external detractors on a number of fronts, including its refusal to hold Westminster-style democratic general elections.
“Alexis, a constitutional expert, told a news conference on Friday that “we pray that God will especially bless the 27th of October, 2016, as referendum day across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
“We think every Grenadian who is eligible to vote will respect the historical significance of the month of October and come out to vote fully on referendum day,” Alexis, a former attorney general here said.
Earlier this month, the Senate approved the eight bills that would allow for changes to the Grenada Constitution once two thirds of the voter population approve the measures.
Parliament last month also passed legislation that allows the island to replace the London-based Privy Council with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), as its final court. (CMC)
