Justice Carmona satisfies all requirements for nomination as presidential candidate: AG

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan issued a brief statement Tuesday afternoon explaining that presidential nominee Mr. Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona fulfils the constitutional requirement to be nominated.

Ramlogan said the Government researched the matter prior to making the decision to nominate Carmona for the Office of the President.

"The Attorney General wishes to advise that the relevant law was in fact independently researched and considered by three eminent international jurists and the Government is therefore satisfied that Mr. Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona fulfils the constitutional requirements for him to be validly nominated as President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago," the release stated.

"With respect to the specific concern raised, I have been advised that Mr. Justice Carmona satisfies the constitutional criterion in section 23 (1) as he was in fact ordinarily resident in Trinidad and Tobago for ten years immediately preceding his nomination. 

"Legal advice was sought from three internationally-respected jurists, namely Lord David Pannick, QC, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, SC, and Michael Beloff, QC, on the issue. This was the unanimous conclusion arrived at by all three learned Counsel," the AG added. 

Carmona was the sole nominee for the post at the close of nomination on Tuesday. In accordance with the constitutional requirements the document was signed by Carmona and MPs:

1. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP Siparia
2. Errol McLeod, MP Pointe-a-Pierre
3. Jack Warner, MP Chaguanas West
4. Prakash Ramadhar, MP St Augustine
5. Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, MP San Fernando West
6. Nizam Baksh, MP Naparima
7. Anil Roberts, MP D’Abadie/O’Meara
8. Chandresh Sharma, MP Fyzabad
9. Dr Rupert Griffith, MP Toco/Sangre Grande
10. Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, MP Tobago East
11. Stephen Cadiz, MP Chaguanas East
12. Dr Roodal Moonilal, MP Oropouche East

The electoral college comprising all members of Parliament would meet on February 15 to formally elect the president. However, there will be no need for a secondment, which the PNM had proposed to do, or for balloting. Speaker Wade Mark would declare Carmona elected in accordance of section 31 of the constitution.

Prior to the Speaker's declaration the Prime Minister would deliver a brief address outline the merits of the candidate. 

Once Carmona is declared "elected" Government House Leader Roodal Moonilal will move for the adjournment of the electoral college and Chief Justice Ivor Archie would administer the oath of office.