MONTEGO BAY, St James — In a move to elevate the office from the political fray and make it independent of the election cycle, thought is being given to a seven-year term for the president once Jamaica is a republic.

This was disclosed by member of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) and Opposition spokesman on industry, investment, and commerce Anthony Hylton on Wednesday during the first in a series of town hall meetings planned by the CRC to consult Jamaicans on the intended change to the constitution.

The town hall was held at Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square.

“In the committee there was discussion around the role and function of the president. We want the president to be above the cut and trust of the everyday politics; we want the president to represent unity and stability. To achieve that, and to maintain that, you want to have a term of years that doesn’t coincide with the five-year election cycle,” Hylton explained.

His comments came after a query from the floor as to whether Jamaica is mature enough to select a president.

According to Hylton, the seven-year term would be more palatable if there is unanimity around the person holding the position.

“There is also something else that is important, and we discussed that in the committee, and [it is] yet to be finalised; it is how we choose. It is that safeguard that will ensure, in the first place, that we have real consensus about who that person is. Because, if you get that right, then everybody is comfortable with the seven years because you have the right person for that time in the seven-year period,” he said.

The recommendation, Hylton added, is that the president “be elected by a college of electors” made up of members within Parliament’s Senate and lower house.

There would be a vote which would be carried by a two-thirds majority but discussions are still ongoing on whether ballots would be taken separately for each of these groups.

“That’s an important question because, as the Minister [of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte] pointed out earlier, that two-thirds majority is achievable from time to time in the House because of the electoral cycle,” Hylton said, adding that “the creativity and the imagination” in the way senators are appointed is very important.

The Senate comprises 21 members appointed by the governor general — 13 on the advice of the prime minister and eight on the advice of the leader of the opposition.

“That is what is obtained now to preserve that consensus around critical issues. And so that needs to be definitively finalised. The Opposition is on record of having a two-thirds voting separately, in both Houses,” said Hylton.

Earlier in the discussion, Malahoo Forte, who co-chairs the CRC with Ambassador Rocky Meade, had pointed out that for the office of the presidency, “the proposal is for a parliamentary confirmation process”.

“I am hearing views about wanting to elect directly. I hear the views so we are going to talk,” she assured residents who turned out for the meeting.

The CRC was established to ensure that Jamaica’s transition to a republic is smooth. The 15-member group includes representatives of the Government and Opposition, civil society and faith-based groups. The town hall meetings are designed to educate and get input from the wider society, including members of the diaspora.