We wish to inform the general public of Grenada that, Friday 23rd September, 2016, we received the seven writs of constitutional referendum as issued by the Deputy to the Governor-General on even date, on the behalf of Her Excellency the Governor-General who is currently out of the State. The date appointed by the Governor-General as Constitutional Referendum Day is Thursday 27th October, 2016. On this date, all registered electors would be entitled to vote “Yes” or “No” to the approval of each of the seven Constitutional Amendment Bills as passed by the House of Representatives on 21st June, 2016 and by the Senate on 13thJuly, 2016, namely:
- Constitution of Grenada (Caribbean Court of Justice and Other Justice-Related Matters) (Amendment) Bill, 2016;
- Constitution of Grenada (Elections and Boundaries Commission) (Amendment) Bill, 2016;
- Constitution of Grenada (Ensuring the Appointment of Leader of the Opposition) (Amendment) Bill, 2016;
- Constitution of Grenada (Fixed Date for Elections) (Amendment) Bill, 2016;
- Constitution of Grenada (Name of State) (Amendment) Bill, 2016;
- Constitution of Grenada (Term of Office of Prime Minister (Amendment) Bill, 2016; and
- Constitution of Grenada (Rights and Freedoms) (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Accordingly, pursuant to the Constitutional Referendum Act, 2016 (as amended) the Governor-General has appointed Tuesday 4th October, 2016 as the final day for registration of electors for participation on Constitutional Referendum Day. All persons who are entitled to be registered as electors in Grenada and who have not yet been so registered are invited to present themselves at the Parliamentary Elections Constituency Office nearest to their residence so that they can be registered as electors and exercise their franchise on Constitutional Referendum Day.
Additionally, we wish to inform all persons entitled to be registered as electors in Grenada, and the general public of Grenada, that the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2016 has been published in the Gazette and has entered into force with effect from today Friday 23rd September, 2016. This Act seeks to more effectively provide for re-registration for the following five categories of persons:
- A person who was registered by a legal name which has since changed;
- A person who was registered as having a legal date of birth which has since changed;
- A person who was registered as having an address which has since changed to an address in a different constituency;
- A person who was registered as serving in the Royal Grenada Police Force and no longer so serves;
- A person who was registered as not serving in the Royal Grenada Police Force and now so serves.
Please be advised that re-registration involves the replacement of the voter identification card at a cost of $20.00. However, please be advised that the cost of replacement of the voter identification card does not apply to re-registration which is necessary by virtue of the person beginning or ceasing to serve in the Royal Grenada Police Force.
Accordingly, we invite all persons qualifying under any of the five categories of persons described above to present themselves at the Parliamentary Elections Constituency Office nearest to their residence so that they can be registered as electors and exercise their franchise on constitutional referendum day.
The general public of Grenada is also informed that the date appointed for the return of the seven writs of constitutional referendum is Monday 14th November, 2016.