The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006

Review and alteration of electoral district boundaries

58.—(1) A Commission shall, as soon as practicable after its appointment, review the electoral district boundaries into which the Islands are divided and, taking into account the changes or proposed changes, if any, in the number of electoral districts, shall submit a report to the Governor and the House of Assembly containing its recommendations for any changes in the number and boundaries of the electoral districts.

(2) In determining its recommendations under this section, a Commission shall seek to ensure that electoral districts contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, approximately equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors under section 49; but a Commission may depart from this principle to such extent as it considers expedient in order to take into account—

(a) the density of population and, in particular, the need to ensure adequate representation of sparsely populated areas;

(b) the means of communication;

(c) geographical features.

(3) As soon as may be after a Commission has submitted a report under this section, the Governor shall cause a bill to be introduced into the House of Assembly for giving effect, whether with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report; and such a bill—

(a) may contain provisions for any matters which are incidental to or consequential upon its principal provisions; and

(b) shall include a provision for the coming into force of the measure when enacted for the determination of the electoral districts to which it relates upon the next dissolution of the House of Assembly after enactment.

(4) Where any bill introduced under this section proposes to give effect to the recommendations of a Commission with modifications, there shall be laid before the House of Assembly at the same time a statement of the reasons for the modifications.