Govt, opposition agree to continue “hammering out process”
─ new team to meet on Wednesday, July 17 to continue process of engagement
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 16, 2019
His Excellency, President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo, met for approximately one hour this afternoon, to discuss the way forward in deciding on a possible Chairman for the Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM).
His Excellency, President David Granger with Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harman, following his meeting with the Leader of the Opposition.
Following what was described a very fruitful meeting, the Head of State accompanied by Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, outlined some of the agreements made during the meeting.
In his briefing to the media corps, DG Harmon said the government and the opposition have agreed that “from the five names shortlisted by the working group, four were found not unacceptable to the president; and as part of the hammering-out process, the two names suggested by the President and others as may be necessary, will be discussed further”.
The Director-General then disclosed that both parties have agreed that another meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2019.
Addressing that meeting, President Granger said that the parties had also agreed on a new working group to continue the process of engagement. He explained that following the July 4 meeting, a working group was established and have thus far held three “hammering out” sessions.
However, “[that working group] came to an end on Thursday, July 11, on Friday, July 12, the CCJ gave a ruling, and the Government of Guyana have agreed broadly to accept the ruling.”
The Head of State added that an agreement was reached, but the process has not been finalised.
“The process that the Director-General has described will continue tomorrow… We will not use the same working group; there will be a small team which will continue the process of engagement… So, we are moving forward to continue the hammering out process; it has not been completed.” President Granger explained.
Explaining further, he said it is not a question of discarding, but a matter of selecting persons who satisfy the criteria which have been laid down in the constitution.
The president commended the previous working group and also reiterated that both sides believed that the process could be brought to an end very quickly.