Meeting between Gov’t and opposition on Gecom chairmanship set for next Wednesday

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo today (February 2, 2016) confirmed that the meeting between the Attorney General and his legal representative Anil Nandlall regarding the Gecom nominee list for the Chairmanship of the electoral body is set for next Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

Jagdeo at a press conference told media operatives that his party’s argument regarding Article 161 (2) of the Constitution that speaks to the appointment of a Gecom Chairman would be further advanced at that meeting.

According to the Opposition Leader that interpretation, in his opinion is the only valid one since both lay persons and those in the legal fraternity are in support of it.

While President David Granger has said that the persons on Jagdeo’s nominee list are not judges nor do they qualify to be judges, making them unsuitable, the Opposition Leader is contending that the Constitution makes provision for any other “fit or proper” person.

Jagdeo said he is will not preempt the outcome of the meeting with the Attorney General but remains hopeful that common ground would be met.