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APNU’s position on elections “ambiguous and contradictory”- President tells Granger
…asks for clarity
By Abena Rockcliffe
President Donald Ramotar is baffled as to what exactly is A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s position as
President Donald Ramotar
it relates to General and Local Government Elections (LGE), and has therefore called on its leader, David Granger, to make clear exactly where the coalition stands.
On Tuesday last, Granger wrote Ramotar and gave him, what in essence, was an ultimatum. Granger called on Ramotar to, on or before Monday September 15, 2014, announce the date for LGE to be held; to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalized the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for his assent.
The Opposition Leader warned President Ramotar that if the call wasn’t heeded, “we shall be obliged to take any lawful action to mobilize national and international support in defence of local democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the Guyanese people.”
When Granger’s move was publicized, the Alliance For Change (AFC) expressed that it found the move to be a strange one, and questioned why that stance in light of the impending no-confidence motion which will see early General Elections.
In response, APNU issued a statement saying 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.” The Coalition stated that its call on Ramotar “is in no way contradictory, but rather complementary of our stated position regarding local democracy and respect for the Constitution of Guyana.”
Yesterday President Ramotar replied to Granger acknowledging receipt of the letter and said that the content was duly noted.
He added, “Unfortunately, the position represented in your letter and the positions expressed by your Party after my receipt of your letter are both ambiguous and contradictory. In the circumstances, before I can properly respond to your letter, I wish for
Opposition Leader, David Granger
you to clarify what precisely is your Party’s position.”
When Granger wrote President Ramotar, he “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 also “reminded” that in accordance with the Constitution, “Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy.”
In his response yesterday, the President told Granger to rest assured that there is no need to remind him about “upholding the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana and about the importance of democracy, as the track record of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration is one that has always defended, advocated and promoted constitutionality, the rule of law and democracy at every level in our country.”
The President added, “I note your recognition of the fact that all matters relating to the fixing of the date for elections both local as well as national, remain within the preserve and prerogative of the Executive. However, I consider your views as important in our nation’s democratic equation.”
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