IT APPEARS that the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) may not be fully aware of the citizenship status of all its parliamentarians.

The PNP is now looking among its ranks to identify if there are foreig-ners breaching the Constitution by representing the party in the House.

Portia Simpon Miller, president of the PNP, on Monday completed and signed an internal declaration form which, she said, is aimed at ascertaining the status of all Opposition parliamentarians.

"What I am trying to establish first is exactly where we are and, as party leader, I am taking the first step in the process," Simpson Miller told journalist at the party's headquarters shortly after completing her form.

The issue of citizenship has exploded into a major debate locally. Government MP Daryl Vaz was disqualified from the House of Representatives by the court after the PNP's Abe Dabdoub challenged his eligibility.

Renounced citizenship

Vaz, who was an American at the time of his election, later renounced his United States (US) citizenship and again contested the West Portland seat in a by-election, which he won.

Under the Jamaican Constitution, no non-commonwealth national, who has pledged allegiance to a foreign power is qualified to sit in the House.

Central Kingston MP Ronald Thwaites (PNP) moved a motion in Parliament recently for all members who have dual citizenship to make such declaration to the House.

On Monday, Simpson Miller said the party was circulating the declaration to all 28 members.

"It does not matter if you are PNP or Jamaica Labour Party, if you are in breach, you are in breach," Simpson Miller said.

Two PNP MPs have admitted being citizens of a foreign country. The status of South Central St Catherine MP, Sharon Hay-Webster, who was born in the US, is now the subject of discussions within the party.

Commonwealth citizens

South Manchester MP Michael Peart was born in England and is qualified to sit in the House as the Constitution allows for commonwealth citizens to be MPs and senators.

West Hanover MP Ian Hayles said he had applied to renounce his US citizenship before the 2007 general election. However, it was not ratified until after the national poll.

The PNP had said that it had checked the backgrounds of all its candidates leading up to the September 7, 2007, general election regarding eligibility to sit in the House.

Simpson Miller on Monday revealed the method by which that vetting was done.

"I had my people call around to check everybody. There were two persons and I had instructed then that they should either renounce or we would find somebody else," Simpson Miller said.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has said he is seeking consensus with the Opposition with a view to amending the provision in the constitution, which would disqualify a Jamaican, yet would allow any Commonwealth national to run for office, providing they lived in the country for a year prior to the holding of the election.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com