The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas provides for decision-making by voting; nevertheless, decisions in the organs and bodies of the Community are arrived at through consensus.

The voting procedures outlined by the Revised Treaty are two types. Decisions at the Conference require unanimity. However, if up to 25 per cent of its membership choose to abstain, the result would still be deemed an affirmative one. One negative vote however, blocks unanimity, resulting in no decision.

In the other organs and bodies, a decision can be taken once three quarters of the members vote in the affirmative. The Revised Treaty provides opportunities for civil society to be brought into the decision-making through consultation.

The Charter of Civil Society

The proposal for adopting a Charter of Civil Society was one of the strongest recommendations of the West Indian Commission. In 1992, the West Indian Commission chaired by Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth presented its Time for Action Report which several recommendations for deepening regional integration.

During its regional consultations, the Commission found widespread support for an instrument clearly elaborating and promoting the values that the people hold dear. Heads of Government adopted the Charter of Civil Society at their Eight Inter-Sessional Meeting in 1997 in St. John’s, Antigua.