Fixed term elections, an independent electoral commission and ethical governance are among a raft of items due to be discussed today in a take note motion led by United Bermuda Party MP Kim Swan. They feature in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s recommended benchmarks for democratic legislatures in the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region developed last summer. The take note motion will kick off debate on the benchmarks, which were tabled in the form of a brochure last week.
Mr Swan told The Royal Gazette that Bermuda had already implemented some of the recommendations, including establishing a Register of Interests, open committee meetings and a question period. But the report also highlights areas where Bermuda’s parliament “must address to keep pace with sister jurisdictions who are more modern, and illuminates where Bermuda lags behind and needs modernising,” Mr Swan said.
” Term lengths for Members of the popular House shall reflect the need for accountability through regular and periodic legislative elections, the date of such elections should, as far as possible be fixed,” the report states.
Full Article: MPs to discuss fixed term elections and ethical governance | Bermuda Politics.
