May 10 date for CCJ’s ruling is not a ‘drop-dead date’ – Director-General of MoTP, Harmon

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 2, 2019

The Coalition Government is prepared to abide by the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), come May 10, according to Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

Addressing the media today, the senior government official explained that the august body would have listened to arguments and presentations made to it on behalf of the parties, the Government and Opposition, and then the court will make a ruling.

“So, if it says A, B or C, we [Government] are going to act in accordance with the decision of the court. We act in accordance with our Constitution and we will act in accordance with the decision of the court, whether it is May 10 or 20, 2019 or 20 whatever the case is, we will act in accordance with whatever the ruling of the court is.”

The CCJ has set May 10, 2019 as the day when all matters relevant to the appeal in the December 21, 2018 vote will be heard.

President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders has ordered that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) be a party in the case. As he set out the timelines, Justice Saunders had indicated that notices of appeal had to be filed by all parties by April 1, 2019.

Written submissions were to be filed and exchanged by April 17, 2019 and all parties are to file replies by April 23, 2019.

Paul Mc Adam.

Images: Giovanni Gajie.