Constitutional commissions’ members to be sworn in on Friday

Government announced that three constitutional commissions, including the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), will be sworn in by President Irfaan Ali on Friday.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, in a press release explained that there was strict constitutional and legal compliance so that the commissioners can be sworn in. It was disclosed that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) will also be sworn in on Friday.

Nandlall noted that the JSC is responsible for the selection of competent persons for appointment as judges, as well as to investigate complaints about judicial officers.

The legal affairs minister said that no one has been appointed to the JSC since the expiry of the last commission on September 30, 2017.

As such, the appointments to this commission will significantly expedite the process of appointing judges to look over and rule on cases, which will aid in the clearing up of the backlog in the justice system.

He said the TSC is a constitutional body which is responsible for the appointment, promotion, as well as exercising of disciplinary control of persons in the teaching profession.

Meanwhile, he noted that the PPC monitors public procurement in an effort to ensure that the procurement of goods and services, and the execution of works, are conducted in accordance with the law and relevant policy guidelines.

It was revealed that the swearing- in of members of these commissions is a fulfilment of the President’s constitutional responsibilities, and his promise to make sure these commissions are fully functional.