… APNU/AFC Govt continues to disrespect the country’s Constitution – FITUG
Less than 24 hours after President David Granger announced that March 2, 2020 is the earliest date that National and Regional elections can be held, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), stated that “constitutional dark clouds” continue to hover over Guyana as his announcement did not comply with the country’s Constitution.
“Rather, we dismayingly saw, a perpetuation of the charades that the Coalition has been engaged in over the last nine months. The President’s intimation of a tentative electoral date is practically an unheard-of phenomenon and is now the latest ploy dispatched by the Administration as it continues its disrespectful attitude towards the Constitution. We recognize too that the President is seeking Parliamentary support regarding extending the life of his Government”, the Union stated in a release to the media.
It stated that the “undoubted late acceptance of this reality” is definitely a clear admission by the President that his administration stands on weak legal grounds, if any at all.
“Even its moral authority to govern is now in question, the President’s sentiments, of course, contradict what the he and other Coalition officials have said previously on the matter. In his address, President Granger drew attention to the upcoming Golden Jubilee of Republicanism as a rationale for announcing his possible electoral date. While the Jubilee is indeed a proud moment for our nation and all Guyanese, it, undoubtedly, will be overshadowed by the utter and blatant contempt for the rule of law and our fledgling democracy.”
According to the Union, it appears that the Government is unfazed by the genuine and germane criticisms that has been levelled at it, and that the actions of the President in relation to announcing a fixed date for elections to be held as early as possible are blatant disregard and disrespect of the country’s Constitution.
“It seems, that the Granger-led Coalition Government is prepared, at all costs and consequences, to continue to squat and usurp Executive power though it has legitimately lost its right to govern. The continued denial of the Guyanese people inalienable right of franchise, a struggle that was ignited by the Trade Union movement, is disheartening and a step in the wrong direction. Today, the peace-loving and democratic forces must again retrieve our nation from undemocratic and illegal rule.”
Meanwhile, the Association of Concerned Guyanese-USA (ACG-USA) is calling on the President to pronounce on a date for elections now, without any further delays.
In an issued statement by the association, it stated that the legal time frame that President Granger enjoyed as Head of State in Guyana from 2015 is now up.
“He and his cohorts are now illegally occupying the offices of the government, since the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is ready but he continues to disregard the Constitution and continues to refuse to set a date for the elections. It is not a choice; it is required by the Constitution of Guyana. Set the date now. The ACG-USA joins with the ABE countries and other democratic forces and demand an immediate announcement on the date for the elections.”
The ACG-USA stated that it condemns “the delaying tactics of the illegal regime” and call upon other democratic nations and organisations to join with it in the demanding an immediate statement on the date for the elections.
On Wednesday evening, almost a year of procrastination after his Government’s defeat to a No-Confidence Motion has finally resulted in caretaker President David Granger announcing March 2, 2020, as the “earliest possible” date for elections.
Granger also noted that there will be a return to the National Assembly in order to seek an extension of time for his government in office.
Blaming the Elections Commission again, the President said that the extension of a period beyond three months for the holding of an election is related to the GECOM’s readiness to hold the elections.
“The Government of Guyana must, as a consequence, return to the National Assembly to request an extension. The National Assembly reconvenes on 10th October 2019. The President is required to both dissolve Parliament as provided for in the Constitution at Article 70 (2) and the ten Regional Democratic Councils as provided for in the Constitution at Article 73 (2),” Granger also said in his address.
Following an address to the nation by the caretaker President, the PPP said that the illegal President ended yet another address to the nation with the Guyanese people being no clearer than they were before.
