Parliament Is Prorogued in a Shocking Move
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Update: The Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle returned to the House of Assembly at two o’clock today, to read a second proclamation from Governor-General C.A Smith. Rolle announced that Parliament will resume on September 22.
The House of Assembly was prorogued this morning, one week after parliamentarians returned.
The Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle read the proclamation from the Governor-General.
“The Proclamation whereas by virtue of Article 66 (1) of the constitution, the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister may at any time by proclamation, prorogue Parliament. Cornelius A Smith, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, hereby prorogue Parliament as from the 18th day of August 2021.”
What it means
This means that the current session or a sitting of the House is suspended by an order of the prime minister.
The House was not dissolved, which would mean the House sessions have concluded and House business has come to an end.
The life of parliament still continues.
What the Speaker says
Controversial House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he was not surprised at the move as he had heard rumors of its possibility. But he called the move “unusual” since the Parliament reconvened last week to extend the state of emergency.
Moultrie, who resigned from the Free National Movement, said he had intentions to hold an ‘open parliament’ this morning where he said the public would express its grievances. The ‘open parliament’ was the Speaker’s initiative and was not supported by the government.
Third parties gathered in Parliament Square in preparation for the ‘open parliament’ but were left scrambling and confused after the proclamation of proroguing the House was read.
Moultrie said proroguing the House shows that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis is abusing his powers and the Cabinet is demonstrating it is ‘not answerable to the people.’
Moultrie said he will push harder for the separation of powers and for an independent parliament.
Moultrie’s Dream of ‘Open Parliament’ Becomes Political Rally – CSJ Report-Understand Bahamian News
[…] Two weeks ago, Moultrie announced his initiative for the public to express its grievances and said it was a move to show the independence of the House. Without support from the government, Moultrie attempted to launch ‘open parliament’ before it was revealed that the House would be prorogued, which came as a surprise to many. […]
PARLIAMENT IS PROROGUED IN A SHOCKING MOVE – BAHAMAS CHRONICLE
[…] Controversial House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he was not surprised at the move as he had heard rumors of its possibility. But he called the move “unusual” since the Parliament reconvened last week to extend the state of emergency. See full story in the CSJ REPORT at https://csjreport.com/2021/08/18/parliament-is-prorogued-in-a-shocking-move/ […]