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Opposition hoping government won't appeal NIDS ruling

PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson
 
The Parliamentary Opposition says it is hoping that the Government will not appeal Friday's ruling of the Constitutional Court which found that the National Identification and Registration Act, known commonly as the NIDS law, was unconstitutional as well as null and void.
 
General Secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) Julian Robinson, who brought the legal challenge against the Act, said if the Government goes this route, the matter could drag on for years.
 
Speaking on TVJ's Smile Jamaica programme Monday morning, Mr. Robinson said the Opposition is ready to sit down with the Government to determine how to proceed.
 
He reiterated that the Opposition is not against a National Identification System (NIDS).
 
The Government has said it is reviewing Friday's ruling.
 
Mr. Robinson is hoping a response will be forthcoming this week. But he believes the Government should "sit down with the Opposition, refer the matter to a joint select committee, have consultations, deal with the aspects of the bills that are offensive and which breach the constitution, and let us work together to come up with something which upholds the constitution." 
 
Jamaica's main private sector groups in a joint statement urged the Government and Opposition to immediately commence consultations on the law regarding the National Identification System.
 
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce as well as the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association say bipartisan support is necessary to settle differences concerning the legislation and avoid provisions which breach the Constitution.
 


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