Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles believes the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is an attempt at gerrymandering by the Government.
Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing the boundaries of electoral districts in a way that gives one political party an advantage over its rivals.
The Bill was laid in the Lower House yesterday.
Among other things, it seeks to expand the number of municipal corporations from 14 to 17, establish the City of Chaguanas, and create the Boroughs of Barataria, Couva & St Augustine.
There is also a clause that proposes councillors and aldermen lose their positions if they resign from or are expelled by the party under whose banner they secured office.
Ms Beckles believes the significant changes are an attempt to redraw the local government map to bolster the UNC, as the areas being targeted for reform will all lead to new corporations in areas held by that party.
She also claims that funding has been cut for PNM-held areas since the last budget and questions where the money will come from to fund new bodies.
The Opposition Leader is now questioning the proportionality of the move and calling for transparent justification for the changes.
