After local government elections in 1994, there were by-elections to elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson of three Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) following a deadlock at the council level and in the absence of a compromise, there is a growing view that this should have been done following similar stalemates this year.
Amid a row between the APNU+AFC government and the opposition PPP/C over the decision of Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to appoint the chairpersons of six local authority areas after a deadlock in voting by the councillors, an expert on local government elections told Stabroek News that as far as he is aware, that piece of legislation has not been changed and the matter should have gone back to electorate of those areas as provided for by the law.
The expert, who preferred to remain anonymous, however noted that others have highlighted that some sections of the legislation speak to timelines which would render the issue problematic and there are some inconsistencies in the legislation when looked at holistically.
Notwithstanding, there is a precedent and Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran says it is clear that the legislation provides for by-elections by voters.