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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Citizenship and Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago, English
Any person who became a citizen by birth under section 9(1) or a citizen by descent under section 9(2) of the former Constitution, and who has not ceased to be a citizen under that Constitution, shall continue to be a citizen under this Constitution. (Sec. 15)
Citizenship and Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every person born in Trinidad and Tobago after the commencement of this Constitution shall become a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago at the date of his birth.
(2) A person shall not become a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago by virtue of subsection (1), if at the time of his birth—
(a) neither of his parents is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and either of them possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Trinidad and Tobago; or
(b) either of his parents is an enemy alien and the birth occurred in a place then under occupation by the enemy.
(3) A person born outside Trinidad and Tobago after the commencement of this Constitution shall become a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago at the date of his birth if at that date either of his parents is, or was, but for his parent’s death, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago otherwise than by descent, so however that, in the case of a person employed in service under the Government or under an authority of the Government that requires him to reside outside Trinidad and Tobago for the proper discharge of his functions, this subsection shall be read as if the words “otherwise than by descent” were deleted.
(4) Any person who became a citizen by birth under section 12(1) or a citizen by descent under section 12(2) of the former Constitution and who has not ceased to be a citizen under that Constitution, shall continue to be a citizen under this Constitution.
(5) A person born outside Trinidad and Tobago after the 30th August, 1962 whose mother was a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago otherwise than by descent at the date of his birth but who did not become a citizen at that date shall be deemed to have become a citizen at that date and shall continue to be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago under this Constitution. (Sec. 17)
Citizenship and Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago, English
Parliament may make provisions relating to citizenship including provision—
(a) for the acquisition of citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago by persons who are not or do not become citizens of Trinidad and Tobago by virtue of the provisions of this Chapter2;
(b) for depriving of his citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago any citizen of Trinidad and Tobago but only on the acquisition of citizenship of some other country in the case of a citizen by birth or descent; or
(c) for the renunciation by any person of his citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago. (Sec. 20)
Citizenship and Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago, English
Any person who became a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago by virtue of registration under the former Constitution or by virtue of an acquisition of citizenship under Part II of the Trinidad and Tobago Citizenship Act, and who has not ceased to be a citizen under any law in force in Trinidad and Tobago, shall continue to be a citizen under this Constitution. (Sec. 16)
Head of State
Trinidad and Tobago, English
The President shall be elected by the Electoral College voting by secret ballot. (Sec. 29)
Government
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) Where there is occasion for the appointment of a Prime Minister, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister—
(a) a member of the House of Representatives who is the Leader in that House of the party which commands the support of the majority of members of that House; or
(b) where it appears to him that that party does not have an undisputed leader in that House or that no party commands the support of such a majority, the member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgment, is most likely to command the support of the majority of members of that House,
and who is willing to accept the office of Prime Minister.
…
(3) The Ministers other than the Prime Minister shall be such persons as the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, shall appoint from among the members of the House of Representatives and the Senators.
… (Sec. 76)
Electoral Bodies
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) There shall be an Elections and Boundaries Commission for Trinidad and Tobago (in this Part referred to as “the Commission”).
…
(11) The registration of voters and the conduct of elections in every constituency shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Commission.
… (Sec. 71)
Citizenship and Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) In this Chapter—
…
“citizen by birth” means a person—
(a) who is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago under section 17(1); or
(b) who became a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago under section 9(1) or 12(1) of the former Constitution;
“citizen by descent” means a person—
(a) who is a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago under section 17(3) or any enactment; or
(b) who became a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago under section 9(2) or 12(2) of the former Constitution.
... (Sec. 21)
Head of State
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) There shall be an Electoral College for the purposes of this Chapter which shall be a unicameral body consisting of all the members of the Senate and all the members of the House of Representatives assembled together.
… (Sec. 28)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Trinidad and Tobago, English
(1) Without prejudice to the power of Parliament to make provision in the premise, but subject to this section, where any period of public emergency exists, the President may, due regard being had to the circumstances of any situation likely to arise or exist during such period make regulations for the purpose of dealing with that situation and issue orders and instructions for the purpose of the exercise of any powers conferred on him or any other person by any Act referred to in subsection (3) or instrument made under this section or any such Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) regulations made under that subsection may, subject to section 11, make provision for the detention of persons.
(3) An Act that is passed during a period of public emergency and is expressly declared to have effect only during that period or any regulations made under subsection (1) shall have effect even though inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 except in so far as its provisions may be shown not to be reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period. (Sec. 7)