The PPP/C is committed to constitutional reform, says Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
He issued a statement today in response to queries from the media corps on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) position on constitutional reform and the participation of international bodies.
Questions may have arisen after former Attorney General and PPP/C executive Anil Nandlall told a constitution reform forum on Thursday that he believed that constitutional compliance, not reform was what was presently needed.
A statement from Jagdeo’s office follows:
The process of constitutional reform was always seen as one that would be continuous, an intention that was enshrined in Article 119 (A) of the Constitution. The PPP/C, therefore, remains open to the process of constitutional reform – a process that is locally driven and one that will see the involvement of the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders, including collaboration from international bodies.
We have to ensure that the process by which we arrive at any proposed changes, if any, to the Constitution must be transparent and must find acceptance among all stakeholders.
However, we have concerns about the several egregious breaches of the Constitution by the Coalition government – breaches that have been exposed by the political Opposition via statements and positions iterated by our Members of Parliament (MPs). These breaches are not limited to matters affecting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the judiciary and the functioning of the statutory bodies. The PPP/C expects those advocating for constitutional changes to be just as strident in their criticism and condemnation of these breaches.
Let me repeat that we are prepared to work with civil society, international partners and others through a transparent, nationally-led process that involves all sections of Guyanese society, in determining whether changes should be made to our Constitution. However, we are very concerned about the silence surrounding the daily breaches of our Constitution by the Coalition government.