Senate can block bill to postpone LGE

The Senate begins debate Wednesday on a bill to postpone the Local Government Election in Trinidad and Tobago for another year, the fourth time the Manning government has postponed the vote.

But the bill could be rejected if all independent senators stand firm and vote against it.

All eyes are on Independent Senator Michael Annisette whose Independence has been called into question more than once because of his close connection to the government.

He is officially a labour representative and he is insisting that his vote on the matter will be based on the facts before him. The House of Representatives passed the bill easily Monday with the government's strong majority.

In wrapping up debate on the bill Tuesday night Local Government Minister Senator Hazel Manning offered an apology to citizens.

"I really want to apologise for the fact that we are taking away the voting rights and really this is just for a short time," Manning said.

She explained that it was all for the improvement of the local government system. "It has taken a long time to get to this...and we have been collaborating, doing it the right way and that maybe is what has made it slow that we have been collaborating with the various ministries."

The structure of the Senate allows independents to influence whether legislation is passed or sent back to the lower house for review.

Independent Senators Dana Seetahal, Bashrat Ali, Ramesh Deosaran and Subhas Ramkhelwan have said they won't support the Bill. Others, including Annisette, have not made a decision yet.

"Whatever I do, I do it on the basis of my own independent review of the matter. I would listen to the debate and I would make up my own mind based on what is before me and not based on what people think or what people say," Annisette told local media Tuesday.

He added: "I come from a democratic organization, a trade union, and we cherish the question of democracy and I firmly believe putting off the rights for people to exercise their franchise is a very serious matter".