Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 17, 2019 AFC Column, Features / Columnists
There are many Guyanese in Guyana and in the Diaspora who are very concerned about what is currently happening in our country. They want to know what the government’s position is, and some persons still do not quite understand the whole situation, and what it means for the future of our country.
Please let us clarify for you.
CHIEF JUSTICE’S RULING
On January 31, 2019 the Chief Justice presented her ruling on the Government’s application to the court to settle the legality of the No Confidence vote which was taken in Parliament on December 21, 2018. Her ruling was not in keeping with the Government’s position on what constitutes a majority vote, among other matters. Nevertheless, the Government of Guyana fully respects the Chief Justice’s decisions even though we disagree.
The Attorney General has now applied to the court for Orders to ‘stay’ (hold off) the enforcement of the constitutional motion. This ‘stay’ will allow President David Granger and all of the Government’s Ministers to continue their work in office.
APPEAL PROCESS
Guyana’s judicial system allows most litigants to appeal the lower courts’ decisions, so the Government has filed an appeal in the higher Court of Appeal, and we now await the verdict of that court. If the Appellate Court overrules the CJ’s ruling, then we will retain the status quo, and national elections will become due in 2020 as it was when the Coalition came to office in 2015. If the Appeal Court agrees with the Chief Justice’s ruling, then the Government intends to take the case to the Caribbean Court of Justice, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal.
When the CCJ rules, then and only then, will the matter be finally settled. If the CCJ rules that the vote on December 21 was not valid, then, again, the status quo remains and national elections become due in 2020 as the Constitution stipulates. If the CCJ rules that the no-confidence vote was valid then elections would have to be called when GECOM is prepared to hold elections.
GECOM’s PREPAREDNESS
Elections, whether national or regional, cost several billion dollars and to tell the truth, the 2019 budget did not cater for elections. Monies are allocated to GECOM to carry out house-to-house Registration, which has to be done this year, because the list, which was used in 2015 expires on April 30, 2019.
We know for a fact that the names of thousands of people who died after May 2015 are on that voters’ list. Also, the names of thousands of young people who turned 18 since 2015 would not be on the list, as well as the names of families that have come back to live in Guyana. Then there are the people who migrated permanently since 2015.
All resident Guyanese have to be registered to vote. If not, the Government could be taken to court for denying eligible voters their right to vote. This is known as ‘voter suppression’ and it is undemocratic.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE REGISTRATION
House-to-house registration for a population of our size, in a country as thinly spread out as ours, generally takes about six months. In 2014, a year before the Coalition Government came into office, GECOM had said clearly that it needs at least six months to prepare for any elections, scheduled or unscheduled. Now you see why elections cannot be held in March 2019.
NEED FOR OPPOSITION TO ACT RESPONSIBLY
If the CCJ were to rule that the vote was validly passed on December 21, then it would be incumbent upon the Opposition to act responsibly and agree to allow GECOM to adequately prepare for elections. If they refuse, they would be holding this country to ransom.
GUYANA CANNOT BE LEADERLESS
How can we live in a country with no government, no President? How would medicines be bought and distributed to the hospitals and health centres across the nation? What would happen to sick people, and how will our schools function? Our children have Caribbean exams to write in May/June, what would happen to those usually well planned and smoothly run examinations? Guyanese children could be disqualified by CXC.
And how would public servants be paid? In fact, how would the Parliamentarians be paid, or the Opposition members, or any party’s supporters who work in the public service?
THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR
The absence of a sitting Government means anarchy and crime and lost lives! It would be irresponsible and a betrayal of the people who voted it into office if the Government were to stand down. The constitution is clear. It says that article 106 (6) notwithstanding, the government shall remain in place until another government is elected by the people.
This Coalition government is confident that its record of action and progress will allow it to be re-elected.
CONSTITUTIONALLY LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT
The Opposition’s irresponsible shouting about the government having to resign is being done to score cheap political points. It is part of their usual basket of tricks. Please do not be fooled by their campaign of misinformation. They have done it many times before. You didn’t listen in 2014-15, so please don’t listen now. Your government remains properly and constitutionally in office while GECOM prepares for elections, and while we wait for the courts to decide.
In the meantime, your Government also expects you to help us to keep the peace and stability while we manage the affairs of state. Please resist any attempts to create panic and anxiety in your communities.
These are the facts and we hope that they have provided you with a better understanding of the situation.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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