Parliament Passes Bill to Extend Tenure of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Despite Opposition’s Divide Request
Today, the bill to amend the constitution and extend the tenure of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was passed in the lower house of Parliament. It marked the first time the opposition requested a divide on the amendment. Despite the opposition’s voting against the change, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) used its majority to push the bill through.
The bill, titled “The Constitution Amendment of Sections 96(1) and 121(1) Act, 2023,” was presented by Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck. Minister Chuck argued that the current constitution sets the retirement age for both the DPP and the Auditor General at 60. He referred to the 2017 Pensions Bill, which proposed an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65 for public officers. The second clause of the bill indicates that a sitting Director of Public Prosecutions at the commencement of the amendment can elect in writing to the Governor-General to retire after the age of 60 years. However, the opposition voiced its disapproval of the amendment, citing concerns about democratic governance and the principles of constitutional reform. Watch the report:
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