Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 26, 2015 Letters
Dear Editor,
In your Sunday, April 19 edition, columnist and writer Freddie Kissoon intimated that he has no confidence in the impartially of Chief Justice Ian Chang (CJ) considering prior rulings the Chief Justice made some of which appeared to be neither here nor there, the resulting ambiguity resulting in continued illegalities some may argue. I agree with Mr. Kissoon’s general thesis.
However, there are a few other contextual elements which must be highlighted for us to get a clearer picture as to why it is more than likely the CJ will pronounce on the constitutionality of term limits in a way that creates ambiguity, vagueness and thus creating a scenario that could ultimately lead to the reinstallation of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
I therefore take Freddie’s observations further and project that the impending ruling will create the opportunity for Bharrat Jagdeo to be reinstalled as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Some have been arguing that he will be a Vice President, then replace either Donald Ramotar or Elizabeth Harper as President or Prime Minister, but this I believe is too obvious.
Editor, what follows is a list of contextual elements which not only makes it clearer for all to see how this is playing out but highlights the implications and seriousness of the upcoming CJ ruling; Freddie may be correct in his projections after all. Here goes: (1) the timing of the challenge – why now, why not three or more years prior, what about between 2011 elections to the dissolution of Parliament? (2) Bharrat Jagdeo is listed as President of Guyana on the Revised List of Electors, his address is list as State House – you mean to tell me in three plus years he didn’t change his address to reflect his current place of abode?
Similarly, the former President’s name is also on the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) list of candidates. (3) Bharrat Jagdeo has been the PPP’s chief spokesperson and attack dog during the election campaigning, he was not as visible, verbally abusive and divisive during the 2011 campaigns. Clearly he understands that the PPP is losing much support in Guyana and abroad, he also understands that should the PPP Government be removed from office, he and many Government officials and questionable associates may be subject to criminal investigations. (4) The PPP Government has been attempting to question the integrity of GECOM’s preparation and capacity to host the upcoming national and regional elections.
It has been one flimsy excuse after another, it is not hard to see that apart from the divisive rhetoric of the former President and other PPP campaign voices that part of the thinking is to create an atmosphere of fear within the citizenry and doubt about the integrity of the electoral process and results. I believe these efforts will continue until the Election Day. One hopes that the over 2,200 polling stations are properly secured and citizens are protected from attempts to disenfranchise them come Elections Day. Doing this presents an opportunity to challenge the both the process and results, thereby delaying any pronouncement.
Finally, the PPP Government believes in zero sum politics, no room for meaningful negotiations. The main concern is a majority in Parliament so once again they and Bharrat Jagdeo can have their way with the resources and treasury of this country. Add the foregoing to the recent patterns of rulings by the CJ either directly or in-directly in favour of the PPP Government and the puzzle becomes clearer. The recent ruling to withhold spending of Inter-American Development Bank is merely a bone he has thrown to the Opposition, an attempt for the CJ to show that he is not always on the side of Government. The intent of course is to foster complacency within the Coalition camp.
Concerned citizen
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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