TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: OPPOSITION DEFEATS HANGING BILL

February 27, 2011: in Trinidad and Tobago, the Constitution Amendment (Capital Offences) Bill, to speed up executions, was defeated in the Lower House. The Opposition People's National Movement (PNM) refused to give the necessary support that the Bill, requiring a three-fourths majority to become law.
Twenty nine voted in favour and 11 voted against. There were no abstentions.
To be enacted, the Bill needed a special majority of 31 votes.
The government had made two concessions in the hope of winning the Opposition's support.
Earlier today, Minister of Legal Affairs, Prakash Ramadhar said if the PNM voted against the bill, the government will attempt to correct the faults, as outlined by the Opposition, and bring the bill later.
The bill can only resurface in the House after six months. (Sources: Trinidad Express, ctntworld.com, 28/02/2011)