Article 106 of the Constitution says that the Cabinet, including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a “majority” of all the elected members of the National Assembly, on a vote of Confidence. Since the House is made up of 65 members, it is widely accepted that the “majority” is 33. Therefore, “no strange mathematics will be able to change what the Constitution says,” a position that Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, is maintaining.
Jagdeo proffered this position in response to the Appellate Court’s ruling yesterday that 34 votes – and not 33 – were needed for the no confidence Motion that was passed in December last to be considered valid.
The PPP General Secretary said that the matter will be resolved definitively in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He said, “We shall appeal it immediately. Many would believe that this is a setback but we will continue to remain mobilised and work every single day to ensure people know the nature of this government.”
Further to this, Jagdeo said he did not expect the ruling to be overturned on such a “weird” argument. In spite of the court’s decision, the Opposition Leader said that the PPP will continue its call for early elections and for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to continue its preparations. He said that this call is premised on the fact that the CCJ could rule in the PPP’s favour.
As for those who supported the PPP in its nationwide protests, Jagdeo expressed heartfelt thanks and urged them not to be disheartened. He said that the hard work which has started must continue.
He concluded, “The outcome for them [APNU+AFC] is inevitable and they have seen this. The elections will come whenever they come. Keep working and keeping going into the APNU strongholds because people need our guidance and support there too.”
