Minister of State, Joseph Harmon noted this morning that the government needs more matters on its agenda before it can call a sitting of the National Assembly.
He made this revelation during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency.
He was at the time, responding to the media’s questions on the need to call a sitting to address extending the deadline for elections. This is in light of the fact that Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield said a few weeks ago that he needs 148 days to ensure proper preparation. That would go past the March deadline for elections which the political opposition has been calling for.
The Minister of State said, “Once there is government business to be conducted in the National Assembly, it will be called. Once government’s business has to be transacted, then it will meet…”
Harmon was then asked to say if the General and Regional Elections is not an important enough matter for a sitting to be called. The Minister said, “Yes it is an important matter. But why do you require Parliament to be called right now? What you want Parliament to be called (on) about elections?”
When the media noted once again, the timeline to be extended and the funds for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to conduct elections, Harmon made no other comment along that line.
He closed the matter by saying that there are a few bills on the government’s agenda but it is just not enough to call a sitting.
