Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Constitutional Review Committee, signalling the government’s intention to undertake a comprehensive review of Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution as the nation approaches its 45th anniversary of Independence.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin announced this week that the review has become necessary, noting that the Constitution, which came into force on November 1, 1981, has remained largely unchanged since Independence.

Sir Steadroy will serve as chairman of the committee, with Queen’s Counsel Justin Simon appointed as deputy chairman. The committee will also include representatives from non-governmental organisations, the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association, and other civil society groups.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin

According to the Attorney General, the committee’s mandate will be to examine the Constitution and identify provisions that may be amended without the need for a referendum, while also making recommendations to address areas of concern that have emerged over time.

Among the issues to be considered are whether Antigua and Barbuda should retain its bicameral parliamentary system—comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate—or move to a unicameral structure. The committee will also examine whether ministers of religion should be permitted to actively participate in electoral politics as elected representatives.

“These are just some of the areas that will fall under the committee’s remit,” Sir Steadroy said, adding that the body is expected to hold its first meeting in January next year.

He also announced that a special seat on the committee will be reserved for the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Reform Group, led by U.S.-based attorney Ralph Bowen.

The Attorney General suggested that greater public education on constitutional matters could have influenced past reform efforts, noting that the referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice may have had a different outcome if sustained educational initiatives had been in place ahead of the vote.