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The Constitution Reform Commission has been activated!
Dear Editor,
At the 2015 elections campaign, the APNU+AFC stated in their manifesto that constitutional reform would become their top priority. Five years have gone by since then, and there was hardly any movement in this direction. Despite this seeming inertia, they began to clamour for constitutional reform when they became the opposition having lost the 2020 elections.
They cite flaws in the electoral system, lack of participation in government boards and corporations, as well as in NPTAB (National Procurement and Tender Administration Board). Their most powerful call is for shared governance power sharing! They argue that the PPP/C government’s “ONE GUYANA,” designed to achieve inclusion and equality has not fulfilled its promise.
Instead, they believe that constitution reform could make an important break-through, eventually leading to political nirvana. Others do not repose so much faith in constitution reform, except if this is accompanied by important attitudinal changes such respect for authority, individual responsibility, tolerance, etc. “We can have the best constitution but if these values are not upheld, would the constitution effort be worthwhile?” Doubtful!
The ABCEU countries and election monitors have supported the opposition call for constitutional reform. Under sustained pressure, the PPP/C government discarded the prior Constitutional Reform Bill of the APNU+AFC coalition and introduced instead the Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Act (Bill No. 18 of 2022). This Act was signed by President Ali on 15th November,2022. It mandates the CRC to “consult with widest possible geographical area, with as many persons, groups, communities, organisations and institutions, as possible.”
The methodology of data collection is spelled out in the Act. It is a combination of research, written proposals, community hearings, and testimony before the CRC, among others.
This 2022 Act also designates the categories from which members would be selected to serve in the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC). Based on the designations, 21 individuals were identified (including 5 from PPP/C, 4 from APNU/AFC, and 12 others from other categories). Most of them (N=18) were sworn in on 3rd April, 2024, and the rest (N=3) on 28th May,2024. It is noted that the number of Commissioners was amended to 21 by the addition of 1 member via Constitution Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2024, Article 4(1) on 5th May, 2024.
The opposition WIN party came into existence in 2025 when the appointments had already been made in accordance with the Act (Bill 18 2022). I doubt whether the Act allows for retroactive appointments! Nevertheless, WIN members can still participate in the process through submitting proposals on Constitution Reform and encourage their supporters to do it likewise.
In submitting proposals, senders should consider the major constitutional changes (the Rights Commissions, Sectoral Parliamentary Committees, etc.) made in the late 1990s consequent to the Caricom-initiated Herdmanston Accord and which have ever since constituted part of the existing Guyana constitution.
Regards,
Dr. Tara Singh
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