People must and understand the constitution before criticizing it

Sep 29, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Response is being made to Terrence Campbell (“RISE’s contribution clearly recognised that not all changes required amendment to the Constitution,” SN 25th September) and Tarron Khemraj (‘There has to be a completely new constitution,” SN 26th September). Campbell is being deceptive in making the assertion that I am “obstinate in [my] opposition to constitutional reform.” As an advocate for the respecting and upholding of the rule of law, and notably the Guyana Constitution that enshrines provision for constitutional reform (Article 119A) which my letter (24th September) concluded with, makes the case of his recklessness in treating with this serious matter.
Whether the group RISE issued a statement that “some of these changes require constitutional amendments and others can be effected via legislation” what Campbell reportedly told the University of Guyana sponsored symposium is that there is need for constitutional reform to bring about a constituency base system. His statement is wrong and misleading. Were Article 160 (Electoral System) read and understood and attention paid to the evolving political environment it would have been realised the 2016 Local Government Elections field constituency base candidates and this was made possible not through constitutional reform but the Act that allows for creating the formula for the people to elect their representatives.
There continues to be confusion between the Constitution which establishes the framework and the legislation which puts the meat on the framework. This must be sorted out lest the nation continues to be misinformed and misguided, thereby leaving the politicians to run wild and wreak havoc on the nation and continue their abuse of the people.
The Constitution has more than 200 articles but Khemraj takes objection to one (Article 160) stating “there has to be a completely new Constitution” because this offending article allows for “individual rights [to be] trumped by group interests.” This argument doesn’t hold because the individual’s rights and freedoms (Title 1) still await legislations to give meaning. If Khemraj is speaking about political representation, nothing prevents the parties from putting in place a system that would ensure a List reflecting the will of the people, the people from having a say who they want on the List or holding to account those who are elected to serve. In fact, the Constitution allows such latitude and accountability.
For instance, the PNC was onto to something progressive when it started the primary to elect its presidential candidate. This could have been built on, and it should be noted this act did not require constitutional reform, same as it was for those who ran in the local government elections as independent and on the constituency base system. What is lacking in our society is vision, commitment, and will to make the Constitution work for all.
I’ve never seen something like this before in all my travels to and observations of other societies where people are throwing up their hands and cowering behind an instrument they paint as ineffective when those who are driving the calls have not read this document, don’t understand it, have a personal hatred for the man, Forbes Burnham, under whose leadership it was established, regurgitating or being victims of the propaganda to despise the instrument. Some have taken this ridiculousness further by arguing the referendum was rigged so out with the 1980 Constitution, but they want the constitution given to us at independence by the British when the people were not even given the opportunity to cast a ballot on it.
In the personal imposed torment these proponents are holding society hostage, refusing to see should attention be paid to the Constitution in its present form and demands made of the politicians to act in concert with it this society can be further along the development continuum. It is time to stop misleading the society and demands must be of those who call for scrapping the constitution or reforming to represent their position by being truthful and constructive. We the people must be unflinching in holding them to account, for like the self-serving politicians they do this country grave disservice and are retarding our development.
Lincoln Lewis

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