CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
The Saint Lucia Constitution came into operation on
February 22, 1979, the date on which Saint Lucia attained independence from
Britain.
Supreme Law Alteration
The Constitution is the supreme law of Saint Lucia and
any other law which is inconsistent with it is void. Provision is made in
SECTION 41 for the alteration of any of the provisions of the constitution. A
bill to alter this section must be supported by the votes of not less than
three-quarters of all the members of the House. To alter any of the other
provisions of the Constitution, the support of two- thirds of the members are
needed. Certain provisions may also be changed by referendum based on the
majority of the votes validly cast.
Constitutional Provisions
The Constitution makes provision for, among other things:
the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms; the establishment of the
Governor General; the composition of Parliament and the Senate; the House of
Assembly; the procedure to be followed by Parliament; the delimitation of
constituencies; the establishment of commissions; and the establishment of the
office of Parliamentary Commissioner
GOVERNMENT
The way in which Saint Lucia is to be governed is also
set out by the Constitution. Government consists of the Executive, the
Legislature and the Judiciary, based on the separation of powers principle.
The Governor General
The Governor General represents Her Majesty the Queen,
the official Head of State. His functions are mainly ceremonial, and include
the important duties of opening the House of Assembly on an annual basis by
delivering the Throne Speech, and assenting to Bills passed by the
legislature.
Parliament
In addition to the Office of the Governor General, a
two-house system of Parliament exists. It is made up of a Senate and a House
of Assembly. The Senate consists of eleven nominated members. The House of
Assembly consists of seventeen elected Members.
Administration
A Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General
from among the members of the House of Assembly. This is the person who
appears to the Governor General likely to command the support of the majority
of the members of the House. In practice this person is usually the leader of
the political party which controls the majority of the seats in the House of
Assembly.
The size and composition of the Cabinet is in the
prerogative of the Prime Minister. He may choose to add, alter or to reshuffle
the Cabinet in any manner he deems fit.
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