The three strong team that makes up the TCI Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) were revealed by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd at a news conference at the National Environmental Centre in Providenciales today, Tuesday, 26 June 2012.
Supreme Court Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale, Tropical Shipping’s Carl Simmons and Misick and Stanbrook’s Tremmaine Swann-Harvey will make up the independent commission which will officially begin its work week commencing 9 July 2012.
The Commission will consider and recommend ten new constituencies to Governor by the end of July. These should have broadly similar levels of registered voters, as outlined in the new TCI Consultation. In addition there will be the five ‘at large’ TCI wide Assembly Members as well as the four positions granted by the Governor himself.
“This is another important step on the road to the elections,” said Governor Ric Todd. “It is up to this independent commission just how it intend to carry out its work, but it is clearly hugely significant to the voters of the TCI in ensuring that each and every vote carries the same weight across the country.
“The members of the Commission bring significant personal qualities and professional competencies to this task and I look forward to receiving their report and recommendations in due course. They have been appointed by me in line with the Constitution.
“I was surprised to hear at today’s media briefing that Dr Rufus Ewing claims that he did not know of my offer to both the PDM and PNP to agree on a single joint nomination to the EBC which I would have made on their behalf.
“I first raised this with the parties in my letters of 7 Feb, 10 May and 14 June. In addition, I spoke about this opportunity to both party leaders at the JAGS McCartney commemoration and again at my separate meetings with them only last week. I believe that this provided more than adequate time for such a nomination to be given.”
