The two opposition bills passed by the National Assembly were sent to President Donald Ramotar on February 25 and the 21-day deadline during which he can either assent to or reject the bills has passed with no word on the President’s decision.
The bills are the Fiscal Management and Account-ability (Amendment) Bill and the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2012. Article 170 (2) of the Constitution requires that the president, who is part of Parliament, assent to bills presented to him following passage in the National Assembly. This article also states that where the president withholds his assent, he must return the bill to the Speaker within 21 days with a message stating the reasons for withholding his assent. The president has said that he would not assent to any bill passed by the opposition unless it is with passed the full agreement of the executive and the full involvement of the executive.
APNU spokesman on Finance Carl Greenidge told Stabroek News yesterday that Clerk of the National Assembly,