Following the High Court decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire that Cabinet ceased to exist immediately on the passage of the No Confidence motion on December 21, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo declared that the Government cannot operate as if it is “business as usual.”
The Leader of the Opposition suggested that the President should address the nation and call elections.
“The President needs to speak now and name the date for elections and direct GECOM to start the preparations.”
Jagdeo said that for the Government to say that they continue with business as usual does not signal respect for the constitution, even if they say they respect it.
With the Chief Justice ruling that the Government cannot remain in office beyond 90 days after the passage of the motion unless an extension is voted for by the Parliament, the Opposition Leader said the Government must call elections.
“What this [the ruling] has done now is taken away any excuse from the Government to further delay the preparation and the holding of elections within the prescribed period, which is 90 days starting from the date of the successful passage of the-confidence motion,” Jagdeo said at a press conference at the headquarters of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party.
“We expect this Government to comply with the Chief Justice’s ruling and immediately start the preparation from general elections,” Jagdeo declared.
