Appointment of Justice Singh is ‘great development for Guyana’ – Jagdeo

The appointment of Justice Claudette Singh is a great development for Guyana, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said Friday afternoon.

Justice Singh is the first woman appointed to chair the country’s elections body. She was chosen by the President from a list of six persons submitted to the President. The others nominated were governance specialist Lawrence Latchmansingh, attorneys Kashir Khan and Ronald Burch-Smith, and retired Justices BS Roy and William Ramlall.

Jagdeo said that Justice Singh had previously declined to be nominated, but he had an extensive meeting with her today and she agreed to be nominated. Within hours, she was chosen by the President.

“We are very, very pleased with the development today,” Jagdeo said at a news conference at his Church Street, Georgetown office.

Jagdeo said he believed Justice Singh would deliver fair and timely elections.

With her appointment, Jagdeo said he expects an elections date soon.

Justice Singh is likely to be sworn in by Monday, Jagdeo indicated.

Justice Singh was up to today serving as the Police legal advisor.

It was Justice Singh, in the significant Esther Perreira elections petition case, who vitiated the 1997 elections on the basis that voters were required to have a specific ID card in order to vote when there is no such constitutional provision.