Granger blames Jagdeo for delays in appointing GECOM Chairman

By Devina Samaroo

President David Granger on Thursday suggested that the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo is to be blamed for the delay in the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Granger told media operatives, in a rushed interview on the sidelines of an event at State House that, “the delay in submission, you know when last I met Mr Jagdeo? How long it took to submit the third list?” before walking away.

The President was at the time responding to concerns about the work of GECOM being stymied as a result of the absence of a Chairman since February 2017 and in light of the Local Government Elections (LGE) next year.

Jagdeo submitted a third batch of nominees to the President on Friday last and Granger said he will discuss these matters with his colleague before making a decision.

The six new nominees are Major General Joseph Singh, Teni Housty, Sanjeev Datadin, Annette Arjoon-Martins, Onesi La Fleur, and Krishnadatt Persaud.

After the rejection of the first 12 names, the Opposition Leader said he remains hopeful that the President will select a name, in light of the ruling by acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

President Granger rejected the first two lists on the grounds that the nominees were not fit and proper to fill the position of Chair at GECOM. As such, private citizen, Marcel Gaskin had the challenged the President’s decision in the High Court, during which the Chief Justice ruled that the all of the nominees do not have to be judge-like as was desired by the President.

According to the ruling, the President does not have to be provided with a list of all six suitable persons, therefore if a single nominee alone is considered “fit and proper” then the President must appoint that individual as the new GECOM Chairman.