Earlier today, the United States of America, Great Britain, and the European Union expressed grave concern that General and Regional Elections have not been held by September, 18 and stated that the APNU+AFC administration is now in breach of the Constitution. Be that as it may, President, David Granger maintains that his government has done nothing wrong. In fact, the Head of State advised that the foreign delegations and missions must allow the Government of Guyana to resolve its own issues.
Speaking to members of the Press at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingstown, Georgetown, Granger maintained that his administration is abiding by the Constitution in the sense that it has allowed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), an autonomous body, to do its work.
Further to this, the President said that he has since received a letter from the GECOM Chairwoman, Justice (Retired) Claudette Singh, and he shall be meeting with Cabinet today to discuss same.
Granger said, “The Constitution is very clear on the functions of the Commission and I would be in more egregious breach of the Constitution if I try to intrude or interfere in the work of the Commission. So I would advise the foreign delegations or missions to allow the Government of Guyana to resolve its issues.”
The President added, “I have heard from the Chair and I am very confident that (she)… will recommend a date in which the Guyanese people are prepared to accept. But I cannot hold elections unless I receive advice that the Commission is ready…”
Asked if the letter received from the GECOM Head spoke to a timeline for elections, Granger emphatically stated that he would not be divulging that information.
Granger did reiterate however that he and his administration are not in breach of the Constitution.
“…It is impossible for the Executive to run the elections. I will not allow the Executive to intrude, I will not print ballot papers, I will not train metering officers … This is the job of an agency, let the agency do its work,” the President concluded.
