Article 79 Review and alteration of electoral districts
Whenever—
the Legislative Assembly, by resolution; or
the Governor, acting after consultation with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition,
so requests, the Electoral Commission shall review the electoral district or, if there is more than one, the boundaries of the electoral districts into which Montserrat is divided and, taking into account the changes or proposed changes, if any, in the number of electoral districts, shall submit a report to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly containing its recommendations for the establishment of, or any changes in, the boundaries of the electoral districts.
In determining its recommendations in relation to more than one electoral district, the Electoral Commission shall seek to ensure that electoral districts contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, approximately equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors under the law then in force in Montserrat; but the Commission may depart from this principle to such extent as it considers expedient in order to take into account—
the density of population and, in particular, the need to ensure adequate representation of sparsely populated areas;
the means of communication; and
geographical features and natural boundaries.
As soon as may be after the Electoral Commission has submitted a report under this section, the Governor shall cause a Bill to be introduced into the Legislative Assembly for giving effect, whether with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report; and such a Bill—
may contain provision for any matters which are incidental to or consequential on its principal provisions; and
shall include a provision for the coming into force of the measure when enacted for the determination of the electoral districts to which it relates upon the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly next following its enactment.
Where any Bill introduced under this section proposes to give effect to the recommendations of the Electoral Commission with modifications, there shall be laid before the Legislative Assembly at the same time a statement of the reasons for the modifications.