President carefully examining third GECOM nominees’ list

President David Granger has confirmed receiving the third list of nominees for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo a week ago.
The President told media operatives on Thursday that, after receiving that list, he responded by confirming receipt of the document.
“I have responded to Mr. Jagdeo (Leader of the Opposition) stating I have received the list and I am examining those names now very critically,” he said.
Asked whether any decision would soon be made on the third list, the President said selection cannot be a hurried process, but would be done at an appropriate time, following proper consultation.
“I don’t make these decisions without advice, and I will discuss these matters with my colleagues. It certainly will be before next cabinet, which will be held next Tuesday (September 5),” he explained.
Already, several commentators, including outspoken personalities Ramon Gaskin and Christopher Ram, have said they don’t see any reason why the President would reject this new list.
Gaskin has told Guyana Times in a recent interview that if the President rejects this third list, it would indicate that he is attempting to frustrate the system and, by extension, Jagdeo.
On submitting the third list, on August 25, the Opposition Leader had said he was hopeful that the President would take into consideration the ruling of the acting Chief Justice (CJ) in regard to the constitutional stipulation governing the appointment of a Chairman for GECOM.
This third list of nominees for the GECOM chairmanship comprises Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, Attorneys-at-law Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin, Businesswoman and Conservationist Annette Arjune-Martins, Pastor Onesi LaFleur and former Magistrate Krishnadatt Persaud.
Jagdeo’s letter to the President accompanying the list had detailed that arriving at the six names was not an easy task. Jagdeo explained that taking into consideration antecedents in relation to the matter and a subsequent meeting with the President at State House back in June, he had continued elaborate and protracted consultations with various stakeholders in an exercise that lasted for several weeks. During that process, Jagdeo said, he had solicited their views and sought nominations in efforts to ensure that six names were presented to the President that satisfy the requirements contemplated by Article 161(2) of the Constitution.
Regarding the nominees, Jagdeo explained that one is a former Chairman of GECOM, while two are attorneys with over 10 years of “good standing” at the Guyana Bar, and both are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in Guyana.
Following the rejection of the second list, a consultation was held among Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Joseph Harmon, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and PPP/C Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali, to find an amicable solution to the issue.
It was agreed that in the event the third list was rejected by the President, there would be established a high-level team representing the President and the Opposition Leader, and that team would be tasked with instantaneously working on exploring modalities to bring a resolution to the matter of selecting a chair for GECOM.
However, there has been no word on this team; and GECOM has been without a Chairman since February 28, 2017.