Malahoo Forte Provides Update on Constitutional Reform Process

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, has sought to clarify the progress of the constitutional reform process.

In a statement to the media, Minister Malahoo Forte said she was responding to recent media commentary about the pace of the work.

Minister Malahoo Forte cited the laying of critical groundwork for her claim that Jamaica is further than ever on the path to becoming a republic.

She pointed to the publication of the recommendations of the Constitutional Reform Committee, CRC, the passing of a bill to amend Section 61 of the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for new words of enactment, and the tabling of the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill 2024.

The progress aside, the minister acknowledges that more could have been achieved through a different, more unified approach in the national interest.

She believes this could have facilitated the bill’s passage and allowed the second phase of work to commence during the life of this parliament.

Minister Malahoo Forte also responded to concerns that the Constitution Amendment Republic Bill would not be debated and voted on before the next general election.

The minister says mandatory timelines are set out in the constitution itself, which dictate the pace at which one moves after a bill to alter the constitution.

She explains that before a debate on the bill can begin, there is a three-month waiting period.

She says there is a further three-month period after the debate before a vote can take place.

Minister Malahoo Forte notes that when parliamentary and administrative procedures are taken into consideration, the process can extend to more than six months.

The minister also explained that the bill must also be sent to the Senate to be debated and passed.

She adds that after this is complete, registered voters have not less than two nor more than six months to decide on whether or not to approve the bill.

A joint select committee of parliament began reviewing the bill in January this year, following its tabling in December 2024.

Minister Malahoo Forte notes that the Opposition members of the committee, including the Leader of the Opposition himself, withdrew after the first meeting over the issue of Jamaica’s final court, a decision that was scheduled for the next phase of the reform process.

Minister Malahoo says the first phase is not yet at an end.

She says the ministry remains committed to continuing the work to advance the constitutional reform agenda in a transparent, responsive and responsible manner.