Four new Independent Senators will be sworn in this afternoon during the ceremonial reopening of Parliament.

They are: Professor Gerard Hutchinson, Sunity Maharaj, Dr. Sharda Patasar, and Helon Francis.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, they will replace outgoing Senators Amrita Deonarine, Dr. Varma Deyalsingh, Charrise Seepersad and Evan Welch.

Professor Hutchinson is Unit Lead at the Psychiatry Unit in UWI’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Ms. Maharaj is a career journalist who has worked in print and broadcast media for over 45 years.

Dr. Patasar is a multidisciplinary artist with a strong background in teaching, research and writing, and music composition, as well as a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies.

Mr. Francis won the Calypso Monarch 2018 title, and was Young King and Song of the Year winner in 2016.

According to the statement, he is not yet 30 and will be the youngest independent senator in the current Parliament.