Georgetown: Former President and opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo indicated that the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and its followers would participate in street protests if President David Granger unilaterally appoints a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
He expressed these sentiments Sunday as PPP observes the 20th Death Anniversary of Dr. Cheddi Jagan with wreath laying ceremony at Babu John Crematorium Corentyne, Berbice
Speaking to over 1,000 persons at the event Jagdeo said Guyana’s constiution does not provide for the President to go ahead and appoint a Chairman on his own. Adding that the GECOM chairmanship holds a balance between the three government and three opposition commissioners of that elections management body, Jagdeo said the party would not sit back and the President have his own ways flouting democratic norms.
Jagdeo told President David Granger that he would be submitting another list of six names from which he is expected to pick one as the next Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
“In the interest of moving the process forward, the Leader of the Opposition wrote to the President requesting some additional clarifications and informed him that six (6) names will be submitted to him shortly in accordance with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution,” the PPP had noted in a statement.
That would be the second set of six names, after the President deemed the first list ”unacceptable” on the grounds that none of the nominees fitted the constitutional preference for a judge, retired judge or someone eligible to be appointed a judge.
The PPP has, however, maintained that the law could not be interpreted as having been written separately and so Jagdeo’s first list of nominees had fulfilled the requirement of “fit and proper person.”
The Opposition Leader’s move to submit a second batch of names came one day after the PPP’s Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall declared that further engagements about the constitutional interpretation with Attorney General, Basil Williams would be “futile”.
While the constitution is silent about the submission of more lists, government has already stated that it would be willing to entertain more nominees until the right person is found to replace Dr. Steve Surujbally whose last day on the job was Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
The PPP said while it does not agree with Williams’ interpretation, it recognise that he has finally conceded that Article 161 (2) of the Constitution qualifies two categories of persons for the position of GECOM Chairman, namely: Judges, former Judges and person qualify to hold the position of Judges AND, or any other fit and proper persons.
“Our position is consistent with the historical evolution of this particular Article of the Constitution, as well as, the qualities and qualifications of the persons who have held this position since this Article came into force,” the PPP added.
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