"Duncan Law" to be published this week

June 01, 2010 5:52 AM

Another step to early Island Council elections will be made this week with the official publishing of the "Duncan Law," which was adopted unanimously by Parliament in March.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan said the law just needs to go through the official channels and it will be published this week.

The law, an amendment to the Islands Regulation ERNA, makes it possible for the dissolution of the Island Councils of St. Maarten and Curaçao and for early elections.

St. Maarten, based on the amendment, can now expand its Island Council from eleven members to 15 in preparation for the parliament of Country St. Maarten and the Executive Council from five commissioners to seven to reflect the Council of Ministers for country St. Maarten.

Island Council members are part-timers and receive a stipend for their service in the present system. This system also allows council members to be commissioners.

With the expansion of the council should come a dualistic system, with the legislative branch (parliament) separated from the executive branch (Council of Ministers). This change will also make the post of Island Council Member/Parliamentarian a full time one.

The draft constitution for country St. Maarten still has to be debated by the Island Council. This is another step in the formalising of country within the kingdom status to take effect on 10-10-10.

1 June 2010