The island’s energy and telecommunications overseer is expected to announce its new commissioners next week after 20 applied for three vacant positions.

The independent Regulatory Authority has five commissioners in total — but under the 2011 Act for the RA, only two are required for a quorum and for the board to conduct its business.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, which holds responsibility for the RA, said that of the 20 applications sent on to the selection committee, 15 were first-time, five had already served as commissioners and were seeking to do so again, and two would-be candidates came from overseas.

All applications came in before the April 3 deadline, with the selection committee meeting to consider appointments on June 5.

The selection committee, which is headed by the Attorney-General, Kathy Lynn Simmons, is to notify the successful applicants and confirm their agreement to the terms of appointment as well as the date on which they begin service.

“Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified,” a ministry spokesman said. “It is anticipated that appointments will be agreed upon and gazetted by next week.”

Commissioners sit on the board under terms of varying lengths, according to the Act.

Terms for commissioners are one serving for two years, one for three years and one for a term of four years.

Any subsequent Commissioner is appointed for a term of not less than one year and not exceeding three years.

The three serving at present are Mark Fields, interim chairman, Wayne Carey and Michael Scott.

Abayomi Carmichael is the chief executive of the RA — a non-voting member of the authority who serves for three years.