Dear Editor,
Plaudits have been showered on Judge Claudette Singh for agreeing to accept the appointment as Chair of GECOM. President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo ought to be applauded for their gentleman agreement that led to the nomination and appointment of an acceptable Chair. Jagdeo acted like a statesman in reviewing the recommendations of President Granger. And Granger is praised for bringing closure to the process fulfilling one order of the CCJ ruling.
It is reminded that the two men were not able to reach consensus on an appointee (from 18 nominees) some two years ago following the resignation of Dr Steve Surujbally. Following the CCJ’s ruling on June 18 and consequential order on July 2, it took some four weeks for this nomination and appointment. After many hours of meetings, former President and Opposition Leader Jagdeo submitted a list of outstanding nominees from which Justice Claudette was plucked as the President’s choice.
It is hoped that a similar gentleman agreement can be reached in the selection of a date for election. As a reminder, the CCJ ruled that elections must be held by September 18 unless there is an agreement in Parliament (by a two-thirds majority) between the Government and Opposition to extend the deadline.
An election is not possible within the six weeks that remain before September 18. GECOM will need an additional month, if not longer, to prepare for an election. The election is being delayed by the obstinate positions taken by both sides and time is going. A compromise is urgently needed.
The coalition insists it wants House-to-House Registration to make sure all eligible voters are on the list. The Opposition has boycotted House-to-House Registration. This means not every eligible voter will be on the list. The Opposition wants elections now using the list that was utilised for the November local elections. A compromise is needed. The list should be updated to be sure all eligible voters are registered.
President Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo should meet and compromise on a workable date for elections that gives GECOM the extra time needed to prepare for free and fair elections under international supervision. Failing this, Guyana will enter into a constitutional quagmire after September 18 and can face serious consequences from the Commonwealth and Caricom.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
