Senior Political Reporter
He did it again.
Senate President Wade Mark again cast his deciding vote last night in a chaotic ending to secure passage of Government’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Amendment Bill.
This was amid a 15-15 tie of Government votes for the bill and combined 15 Opposition and Independent votes against it.
Opposition Senators called for Mark’s reasons – but he stood by what he had said last Thursday when he had also cast his vote to assist passage of Government’s Special Operations Bill amid a 15-15 tie there also.
Last night, the repeat arose in the Senate just before 9 pm when the vote was taken on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Amendment Bill 2026.
All 15 Government senators voted for the bill.
All six Opposition senators voted against it. As did all nine Independent senators.
When the tie was announced, Mark announced there was an equality of votes.
“Under Section 50 (4) of the Constitution and 59 of the Constitution 54 of the Standing Orders, if I have those sections correctly, I’m required to exercise a casting vote,” he told the chamber.
“I exercise the casting vote in favour of the Ayes. So we’re now 16 for and 15 against – the bill is passed,” he declared to Government desk-thumping approval.
Opposition People’s National Movement Senator Faris Al-Rawi, citing the Standing Orders, called for Mark’s reasons.
Government Senate leader Darrell Allahar, however, was at the same time attempting to move a motion to adjourn.
Mark replied, “My reasons remain as constant as the Northern Star … Listen, listen, listen. The Standing Order is very clear – I don’t have to give a reason – I don’t have to give a reason! The Standing Orders is very clear and because Senator Al-Rawi has asked the question, I’ve said again, because of my last casting vote, there’s no settled practice as it relates to this question of the Standing Orders …am… the casting vote, rather, in respect of the status quo. That is my reason.”
Al-Rawi attempted again.
But Mark told the Clerk of the Senate to read the bill’s title (indicating the bill was passed) and told Al-Rawi, “No, I’ve given my reason … can you read the long title, clerk.”
Opposition PNM Senate leader Dr Amery Browne asked if Mark would give a commitment to circulate his research and reasons on the matter to senators. Mark said Browne had written him on that but didn’t go further than again asking the clerk to read the bill’s title. Other PNM senators then protested.
The clerk then read the bill’s title, though another PNM senator still attempted to speak on the matter. Allahar, who was standing, said both couldn’t stand together. Mark ordered her to take her seat.
Government and Opposition members then clashed, with Mark calling on them repeatedly, “Hello, hello, hello – everyone take their seat, everyone take their seat!”
Mark called for Allahar to speak.
Allahar said the Senate would adjourn to Friday, but PNM senators again protested, with Government senators ordering them to “Sit down!”
Al-Rawi said they could not tell him that – all the while with Allahar insisting he was seeking to be heard.
Mark said he had answered the Opposition’s questions already.
“If anyone continues to defy the chair, I’ve ruled. I’ve called on the Leader of Opposition Business, please Leader of Opposition Business – sorry, the Leader of Government Business, I beg your pardon,” Mark said.
Allahar said the Senate would meet at 10.30 am Friday on the Miscellaneous Provisions Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling Bill to increase the age for usage and participation in such pursuits. This is subject to its passing in the House of Representatives tomorrow (Wednesday).
The bill had required a simple majority vote – Government’s 15 votes plus one more vote.
It had been passed in the Lower House last week with the simple majority also – but the Government holds the majority—28 seats—in the House.
