Govt committed to holding credible elections at earliest possible time – Pres. Granger

– Govt adhering to rulings of CCJ

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 9, 2019

The Government of Guyana is intent on ensuring the conduct of credible elections as soon as possible said, President David Granger. The Head of State made the statement during his recent address to the nation this afternoon.

To achieve this, President Granger said, his government will adhere to the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in selecting a chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Representatives of the government, along with the opposition, will work on six agreeable names.

To date, a list of nominees has been submitted by the leader of the opposition and a meeting between the two sides held. The government has also submitted a list of eight nominees.

“The government side is adhering to the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice [CCJ] and to the agreement with the leader of the opposition. The government side remains committed to continuing the dialogue and concluding the selection process within days to enable the Elections Commission to function. Once done, Guyanese can expect credible elections in the shortest possible time,” President Granger underscored.

In his address, the president reminded that via a letter written by Gail Teixeira on behalf of the leader of the opposition to the Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, indicated that “the leader of the opposition is not averse to the president informally suggesting names in their proposed engagement for his consideration”.

The Head of State said that both sides have agreed to “establish a joint working group which will shortlist the names to six and present the list to the Leader of the Opposition before it is presented to me.”

He noted that it was also decided that this submission of names, will include also suggestions which he presented for inclusion on that list.

President Granger noted that a date for elections can only be announced when the chairman is sworn in, and that person will have to advise him on GECOM’s readiness to hold elections.

“The president, acting on the advice of the Elections Commission that it is ready to conduct elections, will proclaim a date for those elections. This necessitates the chairman of GECOM being in place as early as possible,” the president declared.

Image: Keno George