The opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) yesterday staged a demonstration outside of the Public Buildings against President David Granger’s controversial appointment of retired judge James Patterson as the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) Chairman.
Moments before the National Assembly reconvened after an almost three-month-long recess, scores of PPP/C supporters, including some Members of Parliament (MPs), pressed the call for the withdrawal of the unilateral appointment, which followed his rejection of three lists of nominees that were submitted to him.
There were over 150 persons participating in the protest, with some holding placards opposing the appointment. “Recall the Gecom chairman appointment,” “Patterson not Fit and Proper,” “Granger has violated our constitution,” “Social Cohesion a farce,” and Granger/Moses/ APNU/ AFC has no respect for our constitution,” were among the messages inscribed on the placards. These were further complemented by chants of “Dictator Granger,” “Not fit and proper” “Free and fair elections” and “Who can’t be trusted? Granger!”