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Ramotar regime has thrown the country into a tailspin
– Elections announced but Parliament not dissolved – GTUC
President Donald Ramotar yesterday announced general and regional elections for May 11, 2015 but there may be a legal problem- Parliament continues to exist.
President Donald Ramotar
The issue now has the attention of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which believes that the country is venturing into unknown territory.
“The nation should be advised by the constitutional lawyers on how we proceed since the Ramotar regime has thrown the country into a tailspin. It is the first time the nation has had a date set for N&RE (National and Regional Elections) and the life of Parliament continues to exist. This country is sailing in uncharted waters.”
The union said it must be noted by both citizens and the international community that in the absence of the President saying when Parliament will be dissolved, the country still faces a constitutional crisis.
“The GTUC further calls on the Opposition and progressive forces, including media, to police this situation and to give leadership to the society.”
GTUC pointed out that nowhere in Ramotar’s address to the nation, was it mentioned as to when the prorogation will be lifted and the Parliament will be dissolved, paving the way for the stated elections.
“GTUC condemns the continued prorogation and the ignoring of this by the Donald Ramotar regime, which must know full well that the life of Parliament has to end. What the President has done is unprecedented in post-independent Guyana.”
With regards to the date set by the President, GTUC noted that the announcement will come at a time when the electorate for 17 years has been denied the right to elect local leaders through Local Government Elections (LGE).
“That notwithstanding, the N&RE will give the electorate an opportunity to exercise their franchise which they have been doing since 1947. The 68 years right for eligible Guyanese to elect a government of their choice with the advent of universal suffrage, was fought for by the trade union movement since the embryonic days of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.”
In the meanwhile, GTUC said that Government continues to spend the workers/taxpayers’ moneys without involvement, oversight and approval of the nation’s highest decision making arm, the National Assembly.
“This lawless and reckless behaviour must be condemned. It remains a national disgrace that the Guyana parliament has not functioned since July 2014. This means for seven long months and counting the PPP regime has had no oversight. This is akin to having questionable characters in charge of the bank with the vault open and no security system in place.”
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