The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) sees nothing unjust about the presidential term limitations in Guyana’s Constitution. In keeping with this perspective, President of the Trinidad based court; Sir Dennis Byron ruled that the laws of the nation on this matter must be observed. This move essentially shatters any hope of former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo running for office again.
The court also saw a 6 to 1 majority ruling on the matter.
The challenge to the presidential term limits and qualification for presidential candidates was made by a private citizen, Cedric Richardson. The initial ruling was handed down by former acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang in July 2015 just before he demitted office. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams had moved to the CCJ after the High Court and the Court of Appeal upheld Chang’s decision that presidential term limits were unconstitutional.
With the Opposition Leader unable to partake in any future elections here, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will now have to look for a fresh face to be its Presidential Candidate in the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
At his last press conference, Jagdeo had said that regardless of the CCJ ruling, he will continue to hold the General Secretary post of his party and play an integral role in any PPP/C Government.
(See Link for CCJ’s full ruling: file:///C:/Users/k.wilburg/Downloads/Cedric-Richardson-Executive-Summary.-June-25.pdf).
