Int’l action needed with no move to meet elections deadline – PPP

The opposition Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) sees the need for international intervention to force the government to comply with the constitution and call general elections following the passage of the No Confidence motion.

The PPP’s statement follows a vote Tuesday by Justice James Patterson, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and the three government commissioners to inform the President that elections cannot be held by the 90-day deadline set out in the Constitution following the passage of the December 21 No Confidence motion.

They also voted for the normal work programme of the Commission to continue; that normal work programme includes house-to-house registration for which $3 billion was budgeted.

“The time is opportune now for international action – as was needed in 1990 to ensure constitutional compliance,” the PPP declared.

“We are inexorably heading towards a constitutional crisis and President Granger will be held solely responsible for this, and its attendant negative consequences for Guyana and the Guyanese people,” the PPP declared.

The Party said the provisions of the Constitution are clear on the consequences of the successful passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly – the validity of which was upheld by the High Court following a ruling from the Chief Justice (ag).

Further, the PPP noted that GECOM’s mandate, as stipulated by the Constitution, is clear. Article 162 (1) of the Constitution states that: “The Elections Commission shall have such functions connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections as are conferred upon it by or under this Constitution or, subject thereto, any Act of Parliament.”

As a result, the party said “GECOM is subservient to the Constitution of Guyana, not the other way around.”

Following Tuesday’s vote, the PPP said the situation at GECOM, “will undoubtedly guarantee that Guyana is pushed towards a constitutional crisis.”