“Age is only a number” – says PNCR General Secretary

…on appointment of 84-yr-old Patterson to head GECOM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally told residents of La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, on Saturday during an outreach at the community’s primary school, that President David Granger did not act unconstitutionally when he unilaterally hand-picked retired Justice James Patterson to occupy the post of GECOM Chairman.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary assured that the President did not breach any law when he hastily swore in Patterson to the position at 08:30pm last Thursday. Further, she said that “age is only a number”, and added that President Granger acted within the law, citing Article 161-2 of the Constitution to substantiate her assurance.
“The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be appointed by the President from among persons who hold, or have held, office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who are qualified to be appointed as any such judge,” Article 161-2 states.
Minister Ally advised her audience not to become distracted by the Opposition’s claims of non-cooperation a year ahead of local government elections, noting that there are plans to move ahead with the development of the country.
The minister told residents that now that GECOM is fully commissioned, there will be plans to move ahead with local government elections scheduled for next year.
Just last week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that Mortimer Mingo, Clement Corlette, Marlon Williams, Joan Ann Ramascindo, Andrew Garnett, Carol Sooba, Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore had been appointed to serve on the Local Government Commission. The appointments came after constant pressure was brought to bear on the Government to name their nominees, since the Opposition had named theirs more than one year ago.
The sum of $30 million has been allocated to the Local Government Commission in the 2017 budget, but an office, staff and other facilities are yet to be arranged for.
Ever since President Granger hurriedly swore in Justice Patterson to fill the GECOM chairmanship position, there have been widespread criticisms for the action. Many persons have deem[LM1]ed the President’s action unconstitutional, a slap in the face of democracy, and blatant disregard for the acting Chief Justice’s ruling on the issue.
Additionally, the Opposition have since signalled their official position of non-cooperation with the Government, and there are plans to engage international bodies while taking their demonstration to the streets. Moreover, the President’s action would be challenged in court.
The Guyana Bar Association has also threatened legal action if the President refuses to give reasons for the rejection of the 18 names that were submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.