PPP accuses KN of being Granger’s mouthpiece

– slams newspaper for “publishing warped and politically self-serving interpretation of the Constitution”

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has condemned what it said is the “deliberate and continuous” efforts by Kaieteur News to distort the letter and spirit of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana, in respect of the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The PPP pointed out that on page 15 of Kaieteur News’ May 3, 2017 edition, an article under the caption, “Two judges, three lawyers in new GECOM list”, peddles the patent falsehood that President David Granger can “reject the list and ask for a fresh one or move to name a chairman of his own choosing”.

The PPP, in a statement, declared that “Article 161 (2) of the Constitution is very clear and vests no power whatsoever in the President to appoint a Chairman of his own choosing once the Leader of the Opposition has submitted to him a list of six names”.

It is only when no list is submitted by the Leader of the Opposition that the President has such a power, the Party contended.

“We have repeatedly highlighted this erroneous contention being pushed by Kaieteur News. Yet they persist with this flagrant inaccuracy. Many feel that this is indeed the ultimate agenda of the President, and the Kaieteur News is the mouthpiece through which he speaks,” the PPP posited.

“We call upon the Editor of Kaieteur News to immediately stop publishing this warped and politically self-serving interpretation of the Constitution,” the Party added.