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GECOM work stalled as Mohamed awaits legal advice on nominees
(Kaieteur News) – Though it has been months since the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed started consultations on moving forward with nominees for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), he is yet to make any progress.
Mohamed, told Kaieteur News that he is proceeding cautiously to ensure full compliance with constitutional requirements governing appointments to the elections body.
“Our intention is to proceed carefully, lawfully, and responsibly, with due regard for both the independence of the Commission and the constitutional obligations vested in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition,” he said.
Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed
The WIN party leader noted that the Constitution requires the Leader of the Opposition to engage in meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly prior to advising on persons to be appointed as Opposition-nominated commissioners to the GECOM.
Following that consultative process, the names of the nominees are submitted to the President for formal appointment in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution.
However, Mr. Mohamed said in light of the current circumstances prevailing at GECOM, and the important constitutional and institutional issues that arise therefrom, “we have engaged legal counsel to advise on the matter and to ensure that any steps taken are fully compliant with the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, and the broader legal framework governing the Guyana Elections Commission and its Commissioners.”
This is not the first time that the opposition leader has spoken about the appointment of his party representatives to the commission.
Last January, Mr. Mohamed announced plans to formally request that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-appointed commissioners on GECOM vacate their seats.
The move came shortly after Mohamed’s election as leader of the opposition, a position previously held by the People’s National Congress-led APNU, whose nominees currently occupy the three opposition seats on GECOM.
Earlier this week, Chairperson of GECOM Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh told this newspaper that the Commission has not been able to move forward with its work until Mohamed submits the names for his nominees.
According to the Chair, this includes critical work such as preparations for the Local Government Elections (LGE) which were originally slated for November of this year, as well as the filling of vacancies within the Commission.
Justice Singh recalled during a meeting with Mr. Mohamed last January, that he was told to submit the names of his nominees but he never did.
Justice Singh emphasised that as Head of GECOM, she has chosen to tread cautiously given the new political dispensation.
She said, “I cannot move forward taking the law into consideration. If I call a meeting, now, the next day he (Mohamed) will carry me to court or something…for excluding their party.”
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