THE PROTRACTED stalemate over the appointment of independent members to the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) seems close to being settled with indications from Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, that he may announce the names of the appointees before month-end.
Sir Howard met representatives from the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs (FIPA) at Kings House yesterday in response to a request from the group for discussions on the delay in appointments to the EAC.
FIPA yesterday said the delegation, led by chairman Frank Phipps Q.C., and which included general secretary, Ken Jones, and Councillors Beth Aub, Marjorie Humphreys, and Harvey Willis, was "satisfied Sir Howard has taken the constitutional steps required" to bring the stalemate to an end.
The stalemate arose in August after the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rejected a proposal by the People's National Party (PNP) for the reappointment of three independent members of the EAC, chairman William Chin See, Corinne McLarty and Professor Gerald Lalor. Talks between the parties broke down after which they sent a joint letter to the Governor-General requesting his intervention in the stalemate. The Governor-General's decision is to be made after consultations with the PNP and JLP.
Meanwhile, the FIPA delegation used the opportunity of yesterday's meeting to suggest the appointment of an independent legal advisor to Kings House.
This, the delegation said, was in the interest of the independence of the office of the Governor-General. According to the delegates, Sir Howard agreed with the idea and indicated he would occasionally consult with eminent jurists to assist in decision-making until a legal advisor was officially made available.