INFORMATION MINISTER Senator Burchell Whiteman has proposed the introduction of an elected parliamentary representative to serve the interests of Jamaicans living overseas.
But Whiteman, who is also Leader of Government Business in the Senate, yesterday stressed that such a representative should not be selected through a general election and should, in fact, be assigned a seat among his Upper House colleagues.
"I believe we could give some thought as we revisit our parliamentary structures and arrangements to giving the community in the diaspora a voice in the Parliament by having them elect one senator, from either side or none, who would be responsible for representing their interests," Minister Whiteman told the Senate as he opened the 2004/2005 State of the Nation debate.
The incorporation of such a senatorial seat would involve nominations from both sides of the political divide, but would not mean an increase to the current 21 seats in the Senate. Constitutionally, the Senate now comprises 13 Government-appointed members, including its president, and a maximum eight from the Opposition side.
The State of the Nation debate, which was promised but did not materialise in the 2003/2004 legislative year, provides senators with an opportunity to specifically focus on and discuss prevailing issues within the country.
EAC'S REJECTION
In that perspective, Senator Whiteman's proposal came just five months after the Electoral Advisory Committee (EAC) rejected a call for Jamaicans living overseas to be allowed to vote in local elections.
Last December, the EAC argued that overseas balloting, for an estimated 2.5 million Jamaicans, would raise a host of concerns, including the possibility of fraud, the criteria to determine who would qualify to vote, and the high cost involved.
But yesterday the Senate Leader said: "The fact is that quite apart from remittances, Jamaicans in the diaspora contribute on a daily basis through their interest in the conduct of our affairs of state and our affairs at the community level."
R.H.
