House-to-House registration is not unlawful – Chief Justice rules

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire on Wednesday afternoon ruled that the ongoing House to House registration exercise is not unlawful or unconstitutional.

In delivering her ruling, the Chief Justice said “House to House is not unconstitutional as a verification exercise in and of itself.”

Additionally, the court found that there is nothing in the Caribbean Court of Justice’s orders of July 12 which says the exercise is unconstitutional.

As it relates to the court ordering elections by September 18, the Chief Justice said it is not for the court to make that determination. She alluded to the CCJ’s orders which also stayed clear of doing same.

“This court cannot order that elections be held by a certain date,” the Chief Justice said as she alluded to the need for the National Assembly to meet and extend the date for elections which she noted should have been extended since March 21 while the December 21 No Confidence motion was being challenged in court.

The challenge to the House-House registration exercise was filed by Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram; he was represented by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and others.

Ram in an application filed on July 22, asked the court to declare that the House to House registration exercise is in violation of the Constitution of Guyana and the spirit of the Consequential orders issued by the CCJ on July 12.

Ram also challenged the registration exercise on the grounds that it is only serving to delay the elections which he wants by September 18.