Constitution Reform Commission invites public proposals for changes to Guyana’s Constitution

…written submissions accepted until Dec 31

The Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) has launched a public call for written submissions as it begins the process of reviewing Guyana’s Constitution, inviting citizens and organisations to propose changes they believe should be considered.
Notices published in the Sunday, July 5, 2026 edition of Guyana Times state that members of the public have until December 31, 2026 to submit written proposals for constitutional reform. According to the Commission, the review will examine a broad range of issues identified in the CRC Act 2022, while remaining open to additional proposals from the public. Among the areas identified for review are the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Guyanese; the rights of Indigenous peoples and children; the elimination of discrimination; improving race relations and promoting ethnic security and equal opportunity; and ensuring that minority views are adequately considered in decision-making and governance.
The Commission will also consider proposals relating to electoral reform, including the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the method of appointing its chairman and members, and its jurisdiction over national registration and the electoral process. Other areas of focus include measures to strengthen economic, social and cultural rights; preserve the independence of the Judiciary; safeguard public funds and promote integrity in public life; improve the effectiveness of the National Assembly; and enhance the capacity and functioning of the local Government system. The CRC has instructed that all submissions be clearly labelled “Written Proposal on Constitution Reform.” Submissions must include the contributor’s full name, address, email address and other contact information, along with a scanned copy of a valid photo identification. Proposals may be delivered by hand or mailed to the Office of the Secretariat on the fifth floor of the Constitution Reform Commission building at 211 Camp and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown, or submitted via email.
The Commission noted that individuals whose submissions require further discussion may be invited to participate in face-to-face consultations.

Two-tiered consultation process
In a separate notice, the CRC explained that it was established under the Constitution Reform Commission Act 2022 and is mandated to review the Constitution to ensure it addresses the current and future rights, liabilities and obligations of the people of Guyana. Following the consultation process, the Commission will compile the submissions and prepare recommendations for the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, which will then transmit the report to the National Assembly. The Commission said the legislation requires it to consult with the widest possible cross-section of Guyanese, including communities across all regions, religious and cultural organisations, political parties, youth groups, students, women’s organisations, the private sector, professional bodies and the media. To achieve this, the Commission said it will adopt a two-tiered consultation process consisting of written submissions and public engagements throughout Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, as well as consultations with members of the Guyanese diaspora. CRC Secretary Javed Shadick said the public’s participation will provide the foundation for the Commission’s recommendations on constitutional reform. The public call for submissions comes days after Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall urged Guyanese to participate in the constitutional reform process, describing it as a matter of national importance.
Speaking during his Issues in the News programme on June 30, Nandlall said the Constitution would be reviewed in its entirety but that the exercise had been organised into thematic areas for ease of public consultation. He encouraged individuals, groups, communities, organisations and institutions to make submissions, noting that public input would influence the constitutional amendments ultimately proposed. Nandlall had also explained that while the Commission identified several priority areas for review, including electoral reforms, judicial independence, protection of fundamental rights, and measures to safeguard public funds, stakeholders were not limited to those topics and could make submissions on any constitutional issue they considered important.
He further indicated that submissions would be accepted both electronically and in person and that the Commission would conduct consultations across the country to facilitate oral presentations from stakeholders. The current 21-member CRC, chaired by former Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh (Ret’d), was sworn in by President Dr Irfaan Ali in 2024 after the Constitution Reform Commission Act was passed in the National Assembly in 2022. However, following the September 2025 General and Regional Elections, changes in the composition of Parliament created the need for amendments to the Constitution Reform Commission Act, which currently provides for five Government representatives and five representatives from the Parliamentary Opposition, including four from the main opposition party and one from the former joinder parties. The current Parliament comprises the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, with 36 seats; the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, with 16 seats, as the main opposition; A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), with 12 seats; and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), with one seat. Former Alliance For Change (AFC) representative Nigel Hughes has since resigned from the Commission.