Georgetown: President David Granger on Sunday made it clear that the six nominees of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to be chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission are not qualified based on the constitutional requirements.During his speech Sunday at a media brunch at State House, the President said that the list of nominees is unacceptable.
At the first post-cabinet press briefing for the year held on Friday, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon told reporters that Cabinet received an update on Tuesday on the quest to find a replacement for Surujbally. In December, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana,had hosted consultations with stakeholders before submitting the names of six candidates to the President.
It should be noted that President Granger had written to the Leader of the Opposition requesting that he submit to him six nominees following consultations with stakeholders.
Jagdeo complied and submitted controversial Indian rights activist, Rhyaan Shah, a two-time elections candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Professor James Rose, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Consultant, Lawrence Latchmansingh; business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; former chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman Mc Lean; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram.
Shortly after receiving the candidates for the post, President Granger requested the opposition leader provide to him the Curriculum Vitae of the individuals. This was done in accordance with the president’s request. In defence of his request for the Curriculum Vitae of the individuals, President Granger said “Although those six names might be known to the public, I could not be sure that their nominations were in accordance with the Constitution. I have asked him to let me have copies of the Curriculum Vitae of each one, so that it can guide me in making my decision.”
President Granger has stressed that Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana states that the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such Judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President. The Constitution also outlines that the post of chairman must be a full-time appointment and the holder must not engage in any other form of employment.
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