Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte says the Prime Minister’s promise to transition Jamaica from a constitutional monarchy to a republic will be kept. However, the change will not happen in time for the country’s 60th celebration of Independence on August 6, 2022, as there is a constitutional process that she notes must be undertaken. According to Forte, the provisions that invest all executive authority in The Queen are deeply entrenched in the Jamaican constitution. Therefore, the procedure to become a republic is not as simple as a majority vote in the houses of parliament, instead, it requires a 2/3 majority vote in both houses and a referendum. More in this report:

Reporter: Velonique Bowen.