As the Joint Working Group, which consists of Government and Opposition representatives, continues to discuss eligible candidates for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, an agreement has been reached to ensure that the nominations by President David Granger make it on to the final list.
The Head of State made this revelation in his most recent address to the nation. (See link for further details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONue5X525e0&feature=push-sd&attr_tag=th03OpMjSyL vLR66%3A6).
In his address, President Granger stated that the government is intent on ensuring the conduct of credible elections at the earliest possible date. To achieve this, he said that the government is pursing the full implementation of the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the early selection of the GECOM Chair.
Further to this, Granger reminded that on June 18, 2019, the CCJ decided that the sensible approach of appointing the chairman is for the Opposition Leader and the President to meet with each other in good faith and discuss eligible candidates before the submission of a formal list. He said that the aim of this was to enable the two sides to agree on the names of six persons who fit the eligibility requirements and who are “not unacceptable” to the president.
Granger said that once those names are hammered out, the list of six would be submitted and he would select the Chairman.
The President said that he believes that the court gave him a role in the process to remove the possibility that, after the formal presentation of the list, it would end up being unacceptable.
In light of the aforementioned, Granger said that he met with Jagdeo on July 4, 2019, and they discussed the means of selecting the persons in accordance with the CCJ ruling. The President said it was agreed that he too would submit a list of names while he reminded that Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira wrote to him and expressed that Jagdeo had no aversion to this process.
Granger further noted that both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group which would shortlist the names to six and then present the list to the Leader of the Opposition before it is submitted to him. He said it was further agreed that the final list would include his suggestions.
The President’s nominees are Justice (Retired) James Patterson, Stanley Ming; Kessaundra Alves; Dr Aubrey Armstrong; Kadim Khan; Kim Kyte-Thomas; Justice Claudette LaBennett; and Stanley Moore.
The Head of State also noted that there was no objection to Jagdeo resubmitting names from the previous three lists he had provided.
Granger said that the government remains committed to adhering to the CCJ’s ruling as well as having elections held within the shortest possible time.
