We cannot be selective in our acceptance or interpretation of the CCJ’s ruling

Jul 03, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Guyana is entering a new phase in its political and constitutional life. The country for the first time in 2015 saw the PPP/C Government taking the unprecedented step to prorogue Parliament almost a full year ahead of its 5-year term.
The decision taken by the then President Donald Ramotar resulted from an attempt by the minority AFC to move a No-Confidence motion against the PPP/C Government which the combined AFC had hoped to successfully move with the support of the APNU given the one seat majority of the combined parliamentary opposition.
That decision by the former President, paved the way for fresh elections in May 2015 which the APNU-AFC narrowly won by a one-seat parliamentary majority.
And in what some view as poetic justice, the APNU-AFC has fallen on a no-confidence motion ahead of nearly one and a half year of a full 5-year term.
The APNU-AFC took recourse to the Court to have the no-confidence vote negated, which went all the way to the CCJ where the Motion was eventually upheld thereby rendering the Government unconstitutional.
Despite the ruling, President David Granger is still to name a date for elections insisting on the need for a new house-to-house registration to create a new Voter’s List. This is unlikely to be completed within the constitutionally mandated period, which could pose a serious challenge to the Rule of Law and the democratic norms of the country.
It is interesting to see what consequential orders would be forthcoming from the CCJ on July 12 given the apparent inability of the parties involved to arrive at a consensus both with respect to the date for elections and the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman.
Meanwhile, the constitutional clock continues to tick at overdrive speed. The administration continues to behave as though it is business as usual, blissfully ignoring the fact that the Constitution is under severe stress.
Guyana observed Caricom Day on July 1, which is declared a national holiday. The continuing failure by the Guyana Government to abide by the ruling of the CCJ, which is the judicial arm of CARICOM could be seen as a departure from the concept of regional sovereignty.
This does not auger well in terms of regional integration and confidence in our regional institutions to represent the best interests of constituent member states.
We cannot as a country be selective in our acceptance or interpretation of the CCJ’s ruling. This will only serve to undermine the integrity and credibility of our regional Court.
Hydar Ally

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