Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed moments ago that a meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow between himself and President David Granger to recommence deliberations on the appointment of a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Jagdeo’s confirmation comes on the heels of an exchange between the Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s member Gail Teixeira, and the Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon.
Teixeira has raised concerns that after one week, no meeting was scheduled for the continuation of discussions at the informal level either between the Leader of the Opposition and the President or with their emissaries.
“We, in the Parliamentary Opposition, thought that we were making progress in the informal engagement, albeit slow, with four names that are “not unacceptable” to the President.”
Harmon responded by saying that the dialogue was never over.
“Talks were never broken off. Both sides have been in touch since the last meeting and as we speak, arrangements are being made to have an engagement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition and this should take place very soon,” he said.
Harmon noted that from July 4 to date, there have been four meetings between the representatives of the President and the Leader of the Opposition with the view of “hammering” out the list of names submitted by both parties.
There have also been two meetings held on 4 and 16 July, between President David Granger and the Opposition Leader during that time.
Last week, Jagdeo rejected two names previously suggested by President Granger for consideration on the appointment of the GECOM Chairman.
According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the two names “did not find favour” with Jagdeo.
Also at the meeting last week, four additional names were submitted by the PPP Head for the President’s consideration.
