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Parliament dissolved…17 political parties to contest polls
By Leonard Gildarie
Guyana’s Ninth Parliament has been dissolved, officially paving the way for President Bharrat Jagdeo to announce a date for National Elections.
However, that date will not be before November 14, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said yesterday.
Some 17 political parties have signaled their intentions to participate in the coming elections with the Official List of Electors (OLE) expected to be printed and distributed to them within a week.
On Tuesday, Jagdeo in a constitutionally mandated move, issued proclamations dissolving Parliament.
Last Thursday, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic-led National Assembly, minus the opposition parties, announced that it was the last sitting. The PPP/C has tabled a motion signaling its intention to work through the recess to complete a number of critical work.
The opposition parties had then decided not to attend this extended Parliament claiming that the government had had enough time over the last five years to complete its work.
The mace being removed for the last time last week Thursday, signaling the end of the 9th Parliament.
The constitutional requirements will require President Jagdeo making the announcement before November 14, Luncheon assured.
Already, it is clear the PPP/C is ready to move in serious campaigning mode with its first major rally meeting set for Sunday in Berbice.
While Cabinet has been expressing concerns over GECOM’s complaint that it has been experiencing problems in hiring workers for elections day, this issue is expected to be resolved by mid-October, the Commission has since assured.
Meanwhile, of seven international bodies invited to monitor the elections, only two have conveyed their intentions to be present.
The two are CARICOM and the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The Commonwealth, Luncheon said, will be sending a “feasibility mission” before any decision to participate is made.
In early August, government had announced that invitations had been sent to seven organizations, including the three listed above.
The others are the United Nations, the European Union, UNASUR and Carter Centre.
More than likely, the last four will not be coming since they have all offered one reason or the other.
Already, government has approved contracts for ballot papers, tools and other equipment for polling day and there are no immediate problems on the horizon, the Cabinet Secretary assured.
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