By Andre Bagoo Saturday, February 16 2013

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Listen here Volney: A member of the public amuses St Joseph MP Herbert Volney, a former High Court judge, on his arrival for the sitting of the Electo...

INDEPENDENT Senators who attended the meeting of the Electoral College had mixed views over whether they should hand in formal resignations in order to allow the incoming President Anthony Carmona a free hand in determining who sits on the Independent benches.

“I am still thinking about it,” said Independent Senator Harold Ramkissoon, moments after Carmona was declared the next President. “I am still giving thought to it. I have not really come to a conclusion or formed an opinion on it yet.”

Independent Senator Dr Rolph Balgobin said, “I haven’t really finished deliberating on that.”

Independent Senator Helen Drayton said, “Where I am concerned, I see that as a matter that I will be thinking about. I see it as a matter for the President and the respective senators.”

She said there is no fetter over the President’s powers to act under the Constitution on his own accord.

“There is no way the President will be fettered,” she said.

But while some Independent senators said the issue was still up in the air, others ruled it out.

“I was appointed for five years and I will be meeting the new President I’m sure in due course,” said Independent Senator Dr Victor Wheeler. “I don’t plan to discuss that with him.”

“The thought never crossed my mind,” said Independent Senator Elton Prescott SC when asked if there was a need for the Independents to submit formal resignations. In the same breath, he said, “I do not subscribe to that view at all.”

Independent Senator Corrine Baptiste-Mc Knight dismissed the idea when questioned and walked away from reporters.