Page One Comment

In the absence of general elections within three months of June 18, Guyana has fallen into constitutional desuetude. If a caretaker government was in place on June 18, what exists today is shambolic and a mere shadow of constitutional rule. The only person to be blamed for this is President Granger for refusing to abide by the clear outcome of the motion of no confidence against his government on December 21st and mounting feckless legal challenges. He has been aided in his folly by some astoundingly insensible judgments in local courts.

Even before the Caribbean Court of Justice on July 12th described his administration as a caretaker one in the aftermath of December 21st, President Granger worsened matters by seeking to elevate the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) above the Constitution of the Republic. It never was the responsibility of GECOM to provide an approximate date for general elections. To the contrary it was always the requirement of the permanent GECOM to be in a state of perpetual readiness for general elections in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.

It is now left to GECOM Chair, Justice (Rtd) Claudette Singh to restore order and demonstrate compliance with the constitution by ensuring general elections are held, before the passage of a further three months, in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Constitution and to stoutly rebuff any further attempts to the delay the process.