Democracy intact, work continues despite ‘interim status’ – Pres. Granger
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday September 18, 2019
Speaking on the sidelines of an event today His Excellency, President David Granger says that democracy in Guyana remains intact even as the government continues to work under the limits of interim status.
The Head of State explained that apart from his health checkups, he has not accepted any invitations to go to foreign countries, adding:
“Many of my ministers have had their travel restricted. We cannot plan a budget. We cannot bring a budget to Parliament. We cannot engage in certain types of projects which are regarded as irreversible and the whole business 0of government has been slowed because we are obedient and compliant with the instructions of the CCJ last July.”
His Excellency, President David Granger
The president recalled the meeting between the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the government representatives on September 13 and reminded the media operatives of GECOM’s responsibility to ensure its readiness for the holding of General and Regional Elections.
“This is not in my hands… I cannot go out and print ballot papers, or appoint returning officers. I cannot detail where polling stations should be. These are functions given exclusively to the Guyana Elections Commissions and I do not interfere and I do not intrude and I cannot give instructions to the Elections Commission,” the president emphasised.
The most important benchmark, President Granger, explained is that GECOM as a whole is satisfied that the list is credible and representative of the electorate. The second is that the schedule is achievable.
The Head of State reiterated that the whilst the Opposition sought to utilise the old voter’s list, believed to be contaminated, the Coalition Government remains keen to see a clean list used to give credible results.
Asked about returning to Parliament, he responded that in the final analysis, this will occur:
“I believe we will go back to Parliament once an agreement can be reached with the leader of the Opposition … The parliament must function. The Judiciary must function. The Commission must function and the Cabinet will function until I dissolve it.”