Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Granger is calling on Ramotar to do the impossible – Dr. Luncheon

Sep 11, 2014 News

The Leader of the Political Opposition, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, is calling on President Donald Ramotar, to do the impossible according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, but Granger says that his ultimatum is complimentary not contradictory.
Granger this past week issued an ultimatum to the President, to set a date for Local Government Elections by next week Monday, but according to Dr. Luncheon, there “has to be more in the mortar than the pestle.”
Granger is calling for local government elections while publicly supporting a no confidence motion that would lead to general elections, coupled with the fact that Guyana cannot hold the two elections within a six month period. According to Dr. Luncheon, Cabinet did discuss the letter to Ramotar with Granger’s ultimatum to which he updated media operatives saying that there are strong views held that there is a little more in the mortar than the pestle.
He said that Cabinet did not view the demand by Granger as an ultimatum but “more of a political strategy.”
According to Dr. Luncheon, the administration will shortly be seeking some kind of engagement with Granger, to bring clarity “to what he actually, in his very brief letter, is seeking to have done…What is he really getting at? What does the leader of the opposition really want?”
According to Dr. Luncheon, “We know that he knows what we know; everybody knows that, so he can’t call for the impossible. The messiah ain’t coming tomorrow so why would he ask President (Donald) Ramotar to do the impossible.”
Following the pronouncements by Dr. Luncheon yesterday, APNU issued a public statement reiterating that it has committed itself to supporting the ‘No Confidence’ motion against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.
“There is no change from that position,” according to the statement. “APNU wants to state clearly that our call for His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, to name a date and set the machinery in place for the holding of local government elections is in no way contradictory, but rather complimentary of our stated position regarding local democracy and respect for the Constitution of Guyana.”
According to APNU, “After 20 years of a total neglect and destruction of our local democratic organs, the people of Guyana are entitled to know when local government elections will be held and local democracy restored.”
Granger, in his letter, to the President reminded “that the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, at its second reading in February this year, was debated and passed ‘as amended’ and that, that piece of legislation directed that elections be held on or before August 1.
The political leader outlined that in accordance with the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, “Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy.”
He told Ramotar, “Local Government Elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the executive branch of government.”
In his bid to give the President further reasons to conform with the Constitution, Granger reminded, “You had promised in the People’s Progressive Party Civic Manifesto –Working Together for a Better Tomorrow – to ensure that within one year of the 2011 general elections, local government elections are held.”
Upon those platforms, Granger stated, “We now call on you to respect the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; to respect the decision of the National Assembly with regard to the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2014; and to respect your manifesto ¯Working Together for a Better Tomorrow.”

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 6th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

CWI Cricket West Indies suspends Alzarri Joseph for two matches

CWI Cricket West Indies suspends Alzarri Joseph for two matches

Nov 08, 2024

Bridgetown, Barbados – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has imposed a two-match suspension on fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following an on-field incident during the 3rd CG United ODI at the Kensington...
Read More
ExxonMobil Futsal Championship heats up in Linden

ExxonMobil Futsal Championship heats up in Linden

Nov 08, 2024

Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once again in Super50 Cup no-result against Scorpions

Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once...

Nov 08, 2024

Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate C/ship shifted to Six Head Gym

Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate C/ship...

Nov 08, 2024

All-round Jaguars clinch 3-wicket win over Pitbulls 

All-round Jaguars clinch 3-wicket win over...

Nov 08, 2024

GSLT20 ticket sales begin tomorrow at the local box office

GSLT20 ticket sales begin tomorrow at the local...

Nov 08, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]