Gov’t, opposition commit to engagement on national issues in wake of confidence vote
The government and the opposition have signalled their willingness to engage and work together to resolve issues emanating out of the controversial passage of the December 21st no-confidence motion.
“The parties recognized the high importance of continuous engagements between the Government and Opposition, the importance they hold for the national interest and the elevated public expectation,” they said in a joint statement that was issued yesterday, one day after they met.
Stabroek News understands that logistical issues caused a delay in the issuance of the statement, which was promised on Wednesday.
The meeting was held at the behest of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo following the controversial passage of the motion against the government. The motion was declared passed by Speaker of the National Assembly
Dr. Barton Scotland following a crucial vote in favour of it from now former government Member of Parlia-ment Charrandass Persaud.
Government had initially accepted the passage but later reneged, claiming that Persaud’s vote was invalid given that he is a Canadian citizen and that the motion needed 34 votes and not 33 to succeed. Court action has since been filed in relation to both arguments.
The two sides met at 11 am at the Ministry of the Presidency. The meeting lasted for more than an hour and they had both described it as successful.
Granger’s team included Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Chief Whip Amna Ally, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, Attorney General Basil Williams and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, while Jagdeo was accompanied by the PPP/C’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony, Juan Edghill, Irfaan Ali and Pauline Sukhai.
Aside from references to inquiring into the operational readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and working towards the expeditious conclusion of the court cases, the statement did not list any other major decision that the two sides made. It presented a synopsis of the position of each leader.
According to the statement, which was released by the Ministry of the Presidency (MoPT), the parties met in an atmosphere of “cordiality and iterated their emphatic commitment to work on all and any matters relating to the preservation and protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana; irrespective of any domestic political issues.”
The statement said the two sides agreed to discuss an agenda proposed by the President that included the Constitutional and Legal situation stemming from the motion, which entailed the functioning of the National Assembly, functioning of the Government,
public services, public order and the dissolution of Parliament, as well as General and Regional Elections, which entailed the role of the National Assembly, operational readiness of GECOM, national registration and public information.
During the high-level bilateral meeting, the statement said Jagdeo reiterated his position that the motion was validly passed and therefore there must be compliance with Articles 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution.
Article 106 (6) says, “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence,” while 106(7) adds “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”
Time-frames
Jagdeo, further stated that the timeframes prescribed by the two provisions must be rigidly observed, notwithstanding the pending legal proceedings filed, and that Parliament must be dissolved unless otherwise agreed upon in accordance with Article 106 (7).
Further, the statement said Jagdeo contended that while the government remains in office in accordance with Articles 106(7), its functions must be confined to the provision of essential services of the State and to matters in relation to preparation for general and regional elections. It added that Jagdeo emphasised that the National Assembly should only meet to deal with issues connected with the provision of essential services by the state and all matters related to the preparation of elections.
On the other hand, it said President Granger emphasized that the government is “legal” and that it must govern without any limitations on its authority. “His Excellency further stated that there is no provision in the Constitution which imposes limitation on the Government to perform its lawful functions,” the statement said.
The President also indicated that the government and the opposition, by agreement in the National Assembly, can enlarge the time beyond the 90 days contemplated by Article 106 (7) and further said that “it is lawful for the Government to engage the Court, to bring clarity to the provisions of Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution.”
The statement said that he made it clear that pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings, “Parliament remains functional.”
“Both sides are committed to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the matters engaging the attention of the court,” it added, while informing that the parties identified Ally and Teixeira to enquire into the readiness of GECOM. “Both parties expressed their willingness to meet to ensure the management of the various issues facing the nation,” it said.
Jagdeo at a press conference after the meeting on Wednesday said that GECOM has enough time between now and April 30 th , when the current voters’ list becomes invalid, to hold elections and warned that once this period passes the government becomes illegitimate.
“The timeline is adequate now to hold elections by that particular time (March 19)…but we believe they still have enough room…but if the government refuses to honour the passage of the no confidence motion and they refuse to define a timeline for elections and the constitutional period expires, the government then becomes unconstitutional, illegal [and] illegitimate. The same consequences that we are fearful of will manifest themselves…,” Jagdeo said.
He made it clear that the PPP is willing to support the extension of the constitutionally required 90 days to hold elections, following the passage of the no confidence motion, closer to April 30 th and stressed that what happens next is heavily dependent on the outcome of the meeting with GECOM.
He said that between March 19 th and April 30 th , when the current list is still valid, the PPP is prepared to return to the National Assembly to extend the elections date by a few weeks but not beyond April 30.
“I indicated this at the beginning, a two weeks difference or three weeks difference if that is what we have to all go together to the parliament to extend the timeline by that. In the great scheme of things that will not harm anyone in Guyana and it will not harm us in the PPP,” he said.
Granger, in the live video moments after the meeting, said the two sides reached agreement on some issues. He assured that both he and Jagdeo were concerned about the situation. “We would like to assure the public in Guyana that we are working to a solution which they will be satisfied with. The public interest is of paramount concern,” he added.