Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang this afternoon ruled that the presidential term limit is unconstitutional, clearing the way for former president Bharrat Jagdeo to make another run for the presidency.
The judgment, which was handed down in chambers in the High Court, was made on a petition brought by a citizen, Cedric Richardson, who had contended that amendments to the constitution to allow for re-election only once restricted the voters’ choice of candidates and such a restriction could only be effected through a referendum.
The term limit was put in place by virtue of Act No. 17 of 2001, which added two clauses to the 1980 constitution to allow for re-election only once. Clause 2 of Article 90 of the Constitution states, “A person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once,” and Clause 3 states, “A person who acceded to the Presidency after the year 2000 and served therein on a single occasion for not less than such period as may be determined by the National Assembly is eligible for election as President only once.”
Richardson’s challenge was initiated in February, just three months before Guyanese headed to the polls on May 11 and its timing raised questions about his motives.
The 50-year-old West Ruimveldt resident, was represented by attorney Shaun Allicock, who previously described his client as a Guyanese who felt that his constitutional rights have been affected by the amendments.
Jagdeo, who was elected in 2001 and 2006, has repeatedly maintained that he is not interested in a third term. Although feelers have been put out to gauge public support for a re-election bid in spite of the restriction, he has distanced himself from these efforts.
