CMC – President David Granger Wednesday wrote to the chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice James Patterson requesting that the Commission presents him with a work programme in the shortest possible time.
In the letter, Granger noted that it is essential that he is informed of the Commission’s readiness to deliver credible elections in Guyana.
“I urge you to present your plans, programmes and financial needs which will guide my proclamation of a suitable date for elections,” he wrote.
The main opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has been calling for fresh regional and general elections to be held no later than March 19 in keeping with the provisions of the Guyana Constitution following the successful tabling of a motion of no confidence last December against the coalition government.
But GECOM has said that it is unable to hold credible elections within the 90 day period as stipulated by the Constitution and instead is proposing a date in July.
The government has appealed the High Court ruling that the December 21, 2018 motion of no confidence is valid and Granger has twice since the passage of the motion held talks with opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. He has also met with GECOM and its commissioners.
In the letter Granger said the government would not interfere or intrude in the work of the Commission, reiterating a position he had outlined last week following talks with GECOM.
“Let me make one thing clear. The Government is in no way interfering or intruding in the constitutional role and duty of the Commission. It is for the Commission to advise me that it is ready and I will then proclaim a date.
“Naturally, I will like to proclaim a date that is sanctioned by the National Assembly and the Constitution, but we have not intruded in the work of the Commission and we are prepared to support the Commission in what it has been doing. It is not for me to overrule the Commission,” President Granger said in a statement following the meeting last week.
