Latest update December 3rd, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Bad and Bias

Dec 02, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I thank you for your accommodating my letter, in which I address two issues. Issue number one is that the Guyana Chronicle must do better. I read in the November 29, 2024 issue that “Jagdeo commends GECOM for ‘schooling the opposition’ on election laws.” Being piqued with interest, and desiring to be informed, I carefully perused the article, but it proved a waste of time. Let me point out just two places where I was left bereft of the requisite information and explanation, usually befitting such reportage.

Right off the bat, I note that the report stated that “Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has once again called out the opposition for their ‘falsehoods and noise’ in an ongoing campaign to undermine the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for refusing to act constitutionally.”

So, my first question is that “… once again called out…” must be accompanied by some reference of previous such ‘calling out.’ That was glossed over, or maybe it was pure incompetence, ignorance and indolence on the part of the reporter, and by extension, the editor. The very article begs for an elaboration.

My second question is that since “Dr. Jagdeo has been pointing out “that the opposition has been making repeated calls for GECOM to take unconstitutional and illegal actions…”, I need to know specifically what are these ‘unconstitutional and illegal actions.’ The article again offers nothing.

The reporter and his/her reporting need scrutiny.

Issue number two relates to Dr. Henry Jeffrey’s “GECOM and ethical decision-making’, which at its best makes for a very laborious piece of verbiage. After struggling through the barren epistle, I am left with a basic question for Jeffrey. The question is where was his voice, when all forms of biases and illegalities were being perpetrated by the then joint opposition, A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

Let me illustrate, and one example will more than suffice. Editor, I refer to the constant ‘illegal’ rejection of the ‘more than one’ list that Bharat Jagdeo submitted to then President Granger. He kept rejecting ‘without reason’ all the nominees. By the way, the criteria for the position are all well-laid out, and were adhered to in Jagdeo’s repeated submission.

During these months of duress and panic, created by APNU/AFC’s machinations and carping, I never heard an utterance from Dr. Jeffrey. He had a great moment then to comment on things ‘illegal’ and ‘unethical.’ His reticence then is as baffling as his present vocal boisterousness. Let me sum up how presumptuous an issue he had then on which he ‘could’ and ‘should’ have sounded his voice. For this, I go back to when the “Caribbean Court of Justice (found) Granger’s appointment of GECOM Chairman “flawed”( June 2019).

In the ruling, the court, ICJ, concluded that the process that was followed in the appointment of Justice Patterson was flawed and in breach of Article 161(2).” In the words of CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, “(Then) President David Granger’s ‘unilateral’ appointment of James Patterson (now deceased) as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was “flawed” and that the President and the Opposition Leader should meet before to arrive at a list of six acceptable nominees from which one person would be selected. In fact, Justice Saunders deemed the appointment of Patterson as “unfortunate,” explaining that “… the President was not entitled to lay down eligibility requirements added to or at variance with the provisions of the constitution.”

So, there was an opportune moment, and more so the very act by the President was so egregious, as Jagdeo had submitted a list of 18 names, all of which Granger had rejected. Mind you, and as was pointed out by the CCJ, “… the President could not resort to unilateral appointment of a GECOM Chairman if the Opposition Leader “demonstrates a willingness to engage in good faith (in) the process outlined”.

Editor, when the Jeffreys of Guyana practise ‘selective’ and ‘opportunistic’ ‘voicing their ‘supposed’ analysis, they all betray their  own  hamartia. Look at this hypocrisy! Jeffrey is suggesting that “… the fact that she (Justice rtd Claudette Singh)  always has voted with the PPP is sufficient reason for opposition parties to believe that she is biased.” I see a larger ‘bias.’ It resides with Dr. Henry Jeffrey.

Yours truly,

Prescott Mann

(Bad and Bias)

Similar Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rana five-for and enterprising batting put Bangladesh in the driver’s seat

Rana five-for and enterprising batting put Bangladesh in the...

Dec 03, 2024

ESPNcricinfo – Bangladesh’s counter-attacking batting and accurate fast bowling gave them their best day on this West Indies tour so far. At stumps on the third day of the Jamaica Test,...
Read More
ANSA McAL on board with inaugural National Futsal C/ship

ANSA McAL on board with inaugural National Futsal...

Dec 03, 2024

GBF unveils squad for 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Puerto Rico

GBF unveils squad for 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup...

Dec 03, 2024

Someash Boyer benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Someash Boyer benefits from Project “Cricket...

Dec 03, 2024

Several athletes and coaches aiming to benefit from India’s JAIN University scholarships

Several athletes and coaches aiming to benefit...

Dec 03, 2024

GAPLF congratulates Dominic Tyrell for taking Sportsman of the Year runner-up  

GAPLF congratulates Dominic Tyrell for taking...

Dec 03, 2024

Features/Columnists

  • Morally Right. Legally wrong

    …Peeping Tom Morally Right. Legally wrong Kaieteur News- The situation concerning the disputed parliamentary seat held... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]