Jagdeo welcomes CJ’s ruling, expresses disgust over “illegal” functioning of Cabinet

Feb 02, 2019 News

Despite the fact that the APNU+AFC has vowed to head all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo thinks that he has been vindicated.
On Thursday, Chief Justice, Roxane George Wiltshire handed down two High Court rulings in cases related to the validity of the passage of the no-confidence motion.
The Justice ruled that the no-Confidence Motion as passed in the National Assembly on December 21, last year is valid.
She said that elections should have been set for three months following the passage and that the Cabinet should cease to exist.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

At a press conference he held at Freedom House yesterday, Jagdeo welcomed the ruling calling it fair and just.
He told the media, “We in the PPP are extremely pleased with the ruling of the Chief Justice,”
Jagdeo acknowledged the fact that Chief Justice refused the request of the Attorney General, Basil Williams to grant a stay on the implementation of the rulings.
Jagdeo told the media that the nation is facing an unfortunate situation where two of the three arms of the State have spoken but the executive is still trying to hold on to power. “What we have is a situation where the legislature spoke on the 21st of December, 2018…now the judiciary has spoken.”
Jagdeo said that it is time the APNU+AFC Government acts in accordance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution which states “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”
He repeated that in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, the President and Cabinet – having resigned – can only perform a “caretaker” function – routine functions in office, until fresh General and Regional Elections are held. Article 106 (7) says, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News