Latest update March 26th, 2026 7:55 AM
Azruddin Mohamed, other MPs can be paid in cash – Clerk of the National Assembly
Kaieteur News – Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, on Thursday disclosed that leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, and his Members of Parliament (MP) heading to the 13th Parliament of Guyana can be paid in cash if they do not have a bank account.
Isaacs made the disclosure during an interview with reporters at the Parliament Buildings on Brickdam, Georgetown.
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs
Kaieteur News reported that following the publication of WIN’s List of Candidates in July, local financial institutions cut ties with members of the party, with some citing the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions imposed on Mohamed as the reason.
Last year, OFAC sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, alleging that they defrauded the Guyanese government of US$50 million in taxes through gold smuggling and bribed public officials.
When asked about the implication of a sanctioned person entering the National Assembly, the Clerk noted that he received a letter from the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Vishnu Persaud declaring 65 persons, including Mohamed to be members of the National Assembly.
The Clerk stated, “As long as a person or persons are declared to be members of the National Assembly by the elections commission, I’ll pay him or her.”
He explained that MPs’ salaries are usually paid via bank transfer, but there is also the option of cash. “If I am told that the person or persons don’t have bank accounts, I’ll then pay them in cash, it would be their problem to get their money into the bank,” he noted.
Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed
The Clerk further explained that there will be a meeting chaired by the Speaker with opposition MPs only, where they will be asked to nominate a person or persons to be the Leader of the Opposition. If more than one candidate is nominated, there will be a vote.
Isaacs said whoever is elected will be paid the salary of a senior government minister and allowances. The Parliament Office will also provide funds for the Opposition Leader to rent an office and pay staff. He noted that the constitution makes clear there can only be one Leader of the Opposition, so funds will only be allocated to one person, despite there being three opposition parties in the National Assembly.
He reminded that Aubrey Norton, Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), remains Opposition Leader until someone else is sworn in. Isaacs also disclosed that an inventory is ongoing to account for items purchased during Norton’s tenure.
“All the furniture, equipment would be given to the new leader of the opposition,” he said.
Moreover, the Clerk stated, “I’m now awaiting the proclamation of his excellency the president, appointing a time, date and place for the first sitting of the National Assembly.” At that sitting, MPs will take their oath and a new Speaker of the National Assembly will be elected.
Isaacs added that while he is still awaiting the proclamation, there is still a lot of clerical work to be done.
The Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was declared winner by GECOM, securing 36 seats in the National Assembly. WIN gained 16 seats; APNU secured 12 seats; and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), led by Amanza Walton-Desir, gained one seat.
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