Guyanese shun constitutional reform exercise

Oct 13, 2026 News

– AG bemoans low submission of written recommendations

(Kaieteur News) – Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC is lamenting the low submissions of written recommendations to the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) to begin the public consultation, as citizens appear to shun the process.

Speaking Sunday on an online podcast, the AG pointed to a “shocking absence” of input from individuals, civil society groups and other organisations.

“I’m told that we have some just over 20 statements from the public. We have had a publication inviting statements running for several months now and only 20. We have invited individuals, civil society organisations, to make submissions, we need to know what the person is coming to say so we can prepare,” Nandlall, a member of CRC, told the podcast.

Guyanese shun constitutional reform exercise

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC

He noted that the intention of the commission is to get sufficient statements to begin the public engagements.

“But we anticipated much more than 20 over the period for which the advertisement or the public invitation has been out. So, we may have to go out there and even begin to encourage people that you know, this initiative is important and they must come on board or else the process will fail, because as I said, the process was designed to be driven by the public.”

Nandlall stressed that even the political parties have not made submissions.

“I would have thought that, you know, there are so many pressure groups out there, so many interest groups, so many groups advocating for different causes that they would have jumped upon this opportunity to prosecute their particular mandate and this is the forum to do so. But unfortunately, I have not seen that enthusiasm expressed in the form of statements. So, we may have to begin the consultations with what we have and try other methods and other forms of encouragement to bring awareness to this issue.”

Back in July, the commission had issued an ad, inviting the public to make written submissions on areas to be reviewed in the Constitution of Guyana during the reform process. The CRC had set a deadline of December 31, 2026, for these proposals to be made.

The Constitution Reform Commission said it will engage the public in a series of consultations over the next six months in accordance with the Act, which mandates that public consultations be held before amending any supreme law.

Back then, Nandlall had explained that the public’s input will directly influence the amendments that will be made to the constitution.

“I take this opportunity at this time to appeal to all persons, groups, communities, organisations and institutions to participate in this crucial, national process,” the minister urged.

He further explained that a public notice will be issued outlining sections of the constitution that are under review, ensuring citizens are fully informed ahead of the consultation process.

While the entire constitution will be reviewed, the process has been organised into several thematic areas.

These include the full protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of all Guyanese under law; the rights of Indigenous people; the rights of children; the elimination of discrimination in all forms; and measures to ensure that the views of minorities in decision-making processes and in the conduct of government are given due consideration.

More areas to be covered include the implementation of reforms relating to elections and the elections commission, and measures to secure and protect economic, social and cultural rights of all Guyanese.

The AG had emphasised that these thematic areas are intended as a guide. Members of the public are free to make submissions on any other matter that may have been excluded but is in the constitution.

All submissions must be clearly labelled written proposals on constitution reform, and must include full name, address, email and any other contact information.

Submissions must be accompanied by a scanned copy of a valid photo identification and can be delivered by hand to the Office of the Secretariat, 5th floor Constitution Reform Commission, 211 Camp and Lamaha Streets in Georgetown, or via email: gycrc2024@gmail.com

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Anil Nandlall, Civil Society Groups, CRC

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