The National Assembly died on 18 September 2019; It cannot be resurrected

Sep 28, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The life of the National Assembly ended on 18 September 2019 as a result of the non-extension of its life by a two-thirds vote as required by the Constitution.
Given the passage of the no-confidence vote on 21 December 2018, notwithstanding the frivolous appeal challenges in Court on its validity, the no-confidence vote was affirmed by the Chief Justice in the High Court earlier, and by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June 2019 when the 90 days clock started to tick again for the life of the Government until 18 September 2019.
These 90 days between 18 June and 18 September 2019 provided more than adequate time for President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition to confer in good faith consultation and negotiate a mutually agreed solution to avoid this constitutional crisis in the national interest.
There was no constitutional extension by 18 September 2019. As a consequence, the National Assembly, the Cabinet, Offices of the Speaker and Leader of the Opposition are constitutionally dead and cannot be resurrected. The survivor is the caretaker President, who then must proclaim a date for election, and dissolve the National Assembly; but since the National Assembly is dead, there is no need for any dissolution. The constitutionally dead National Assembly cannot be called and convened into session on 10 October 2019
The 90 days also between 18 June and 18 September 2019 was a reasonable constitutional time limit for GECOM to conduct the elections; in fact the notice for elections was given since 21 December 2018 when the no-confidence motion was passed by the National Assembly.
We now have to endure the shame of this constitutional crisis until free and fair elections are held and a new government is elected; and this should be before 21 December 2019.
Yours Faithfully,
Joshua Singh

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