The Bahamas has had a Constitution without change for 25 years. The Free National Movement believes that a review should be undertaken to determine changes. Such a review must take account of the requirements of a maturing Bahamian society with the objective of strengthening and deepening our evolving democracy.

To undertake a Constitutional Review an FNM Government in its second term in office will:

Cause to be appointed, after consultation with the Official Opposition, a broad-based non-partisan Constitution Review Committee, comprising distinguished persons, to review the Constitution and to make recommendations.

Among matters to be reviewed by such a Constitutional Review Committee will be the following:

Changes in the composition, structure and appointment of our Senate.

Limitation, with sanctions, on lengthy absences from Parliament by Members.

The establishment of an Independent Constituencies Commission.

A limit on the authority of Parliament to increase the number of seats in Parliament, except in accordance with clearly established criteria.

The creation of an Independent Electoral

Commission with responsibility for the registration of voters, the selection of returning and presiding officers and the conduct of all elections.

The tenure of a Prime Minister.

The entrenched bias of the Constitution against Bahamian women, which denies Bahamian women privileges and entitlements granted to Bahamian men with regard to the award of citizenship to children and foreign spouses.

The establishment of the post of Public Defender, to ensure balance is maintained in the judicial process.

The removal of responsibility for prosecutions in the Magistrates Courts from the Police, the requirement that all prosecutions by the State be conducted by trained lawyers.

The removal from the Attorney General of responsibility for criminal prosecutions and the transfer of such authority to a Director of Public Prosecutions.

The creation of the Posts of Chief Parliamentary Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs.

The making of provision for a Teachers Service Commission.

The establishment of the office of Ombudsman. of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The appointment of the Chief Justice to head the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

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