The aftermath of the vote of no confidence and preparing for elections (Part VI)
Last week, we suspended our monitoring of events since the 21 December vote of no confidence, to give coverage to the controversy surrounding the decision to increase the threshold limits for Requests for Quotations and restricted tendering. As we regularly do in relation to public financial management (PFM) issues, we expressed the view that there has been no constitutional or legislative violation for reasons stated in the said article, except that the timing should have awaited the outcome of the elections. We did so in the belief that that laws are not written for only lawyers to read, understand and interpret; and that a person with a comprehensive knowledge of the practices of public finance and administration and with considerable experience in monitoring compliance with PFM laws and regulations, is in a unique position to offer a view.
Since the statement issued by the United Nations Office in Guyana on the stalemate involving the no confidence vote and the court’s ruling on the matter, several other organisations have expressed similar sentiments and have urged our elected representatives to put the public interest first and foremost by speedily resolving the current impasse.
Statement by the European Union
The European Union Office in Guyana called on all concerned bodies and stakeholders to uphold the Constitution, and to respect democratic procedures and the rule of law. The EU further stated that it: (i) welcomed the expeditious handling of the court cases; (ii) hoped that the further legal process can be expedited; and (iii) looked forward to free and fair elections being held in line with all constitutional provisions. Over the last 40 years, the EU has provided over G$20 billion in grants to construct and rehabilitate sea defences along Guyana’s coast and riverain areas.
Private Sector Commission Statement
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) added its voice by stating that the Chief Justice’s ruling remains intact until it is overturned by a higher court and that it expects the President and his government to respect and honour the ruling by calling elections before 21 March 2019. The PSC also expressed concern about public statements emanating from government sources that the status quo remains the same until the entire judicial process is fully exhausted, including possible appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Accordingly, it warned that such statements could lead to ‘grave instability and an illegal government’.
Guyana Bar Association Statement
Following last Monday’s release of the Chief Justice’s written ruling, the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) stated that it welcomed the ruling and called for the announcement of the date of the General and Regional Elections. It noted paragraph 108 of the ruling:
I hold that the NCM was carried as the requisite majority was obtained by a vote of 33:32. The President and the