Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, has announced that a bill to amend the Jamaican Constitution, marking a step towards the country’s republic status, could be tabled as early as next week.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 3, Malahoo Forte provided an update on the progress of the bill, stating that the review process is well advanced. She expressed confidence that the bill could be presented before the Christmas break.

“Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform this honourable House and the people of Jamaica that the review of the bill to amend the Constitution is far advanced. It is quite possible to complete the remaining steps and have the bill tabled as early as next week before the Christmas break,” she said.

The proposed bill contains 36 clauses aimed at achieving national goals, which have received widespread support across the political spectrum, according to the Minister. Once passed, the bill will formally replace the British monarchy with a Jamaican president as the country’s head of state, transitioning Jamaica to a republic.

Malahoo Forte emphasised the significance of the amendment, noting that although Jamaica’s Constitution was drafted and debated locally, it was enacted through an imperial ordering council. She argued that this outdated form of legislation is inappropriate for a nation’s supreme law.

“The bill will ensure that the Constitution of Jamaica is properly established as the supreme law of the land. There is no dispute anywhere on this matter,” she said.

The bill also aims to enshrine the Electoral Commission in the Constitution, granting it a permanent place in Jamaican law. Furthermore, it proposes the incorporation of national symbols and emblems into the Constitution.

The proposed amendments will also streamline the process for constitutional changes, enabling more efficient use of legislative time while ensuring that key national goals are achieved without undermining the law’s core principles.

The bill will also provide clarity on citizenship, renunciation, accusation, and disqualification, including qualification and disqualification to the House of Representatives.