Wescot-Williams raises referendum rules at constitution panel

President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams said Sint Maarten’s Constitution allows consultative referendums, but an ordinance setting out how they would be held is still under consideration in Parliament.

Wescot-Williams made the remarks at a constitution panel on Monday 12 October, organised by Wendell Moore and PMIA. She said she initiated the process to create the draft ordinance.

She said consultative referendums are intended to gather public opinion on matters of national importance and do not themselves decide an issue. According to Wescot-Williams, government or Parliament must take the lead in deciding whether to put a matter to a referendum.

Wescot-Williams also distinguished a referendum from a petition. She said petitions allow people to bring grievances to Parliament or propose legislative changes affecting them, but do not automatically lead to a referendum.

The panel also addressed the Constitution’s place in Sint Maarten’s governance, civic education and the role of the Constitutional Court, according to the report.