APNU+AFC Coalition giving supporters false confidence, misconceived expectations – Nandlall
In a well-planned move, supporters of the opposition APNU+AFC took to city streets on Monday shortly after the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, a ruling that essentially dismissed the first election petition filed by the Coalition.
Personal online attacks were also launched against the Chief Justice, an act that was condemned by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC.
“We have seen for the second time how the leaders are misleading supporters. They told their supporters that these were the petitions that would bring the PPP down and the PPP would be ousted from office… they promised within months that the PPP will be thrown out knowing full well that neither of them had any reasonable prospects of success,” Nandlall told the News Room during an interview on Monday.
He said even with the dismissal of both election petitions by the High Court, the APNU+AFC was still looking to put in their supporter’s minds a false sense of confidence and misconceived expectations.
“They are promising people things they cannot deliver… so they will continue to tarnish the image and reputation of our judges and the institution called the judiciary simply because they cannot win a case which has no merit,” he added.
In her ruling, Justice George said that the March 02, 2020 election was conducted lawfully and there were no breaches, violations, or non-compliance with the laws of Guyana by the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM).
As a consequence of her decision, both Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act and Order No. 60 of 2020 have been found to have been executed under the proper authority.
Nandlall believes the ruling will go a far way in helping the country to improve on the electoral system.
“Despite this clear ruling and plans to improve on the system, we will have these same people misinterpreting the law and disregarding the rulings in a bid to trample on the democratic credential so the country,” he added.
Nandlall said he was particularly pleased that the CJ has declared that the recount process which was embarked upon lawful and that GECOM has the powers to do what is necessary and expedient to conclude an election.
Monday’s ruling means that both petitions filed by the coalition have been dismissed by the High Court although petition (99/20-P) has been appealed.
“The first petition they filed suffered that fate, it was dismissed. This second petition suffered a similar fate… the truth is neither of the petitions should have been filed,” Nandlall said in welcoming the judgment.
The APNU+AFC filed its first elections petition (88/20-P) on August 31, 2020, officially challenging the outcome of the March 02, 2020 elections and the recount exercise from which the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) emerged victorious.
A second petition (99/20-P) was filed subsequently on September 15, 2020, also challenging the March 02, 2020 elections. This petition has since been dismissed because former President, David Granger, was not served within the required five-day timeline, and he has been found to be a necessary party in the proceedings. An appeal is pending.
