The recently formed Civil Society Forum (CSF) met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo last Thursday and urged him to meet and work together with President David Granger to find a solution to the stalemate surrounding pending general elections.
“The meeting discussed the importance of continued constructive engagement between the President of Guyana and the Leader of the Opposition to create an atmosphere for political stability and good governance in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution while respecting the right to seek redress via the Judiciary,” a statement from the grouping said on Saturday.
Elections are due by March 21 triggered by the successful passage of a controversial no-confidence motion against the government on December 21. However, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has said the earliest date by which it can run off elections is July and the government is pursuing the matter in court.
The statement said that Jagdeo expressed the view that the country was on the verge of a serious constitutional crisis. It said that the CSF took serious note of the opposition leader’s concern and urged him to meet and work together with Granger to find a solution. Jagdeo made no commitment to extending the due date of the election beyond that required by the Constitution, the statement noted.
The CSF further said that of grave concern, was the absence of the state of preparedness of GECOM to administer national elections within the timeframe specified by the Constitution. “Members of the CSF expressed concern that there is a looming constitutional crisis in this unpreparedness,” the statement said.
It added that the CSF emphasised to Jagdeo its interest in facilitating dialogue between political parties as it seeks to represent the interests of the citizenry in the governance of Guyana. “The Civil Society Forum agreed to seriously reflect on the views expressed by the Leader of the Opposition, and pledged to ensure that these are reflected in its workplan which it is currently designing,” the statement added.
It was noted that the meeting, held at Jagdeo’s Church Street office, was part of the CSF’s engagement with parliamentary parties.
The meeting also discussed the role of civil society under Article 13 of the Constitution, particularly in this period of the country’s history. Article 13 states that the principal objective of the political system of the State is “to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organizations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
The meeting expressed the shared view that the CSF would see its function extend beyond elections, and serve to ensure transparency, accountability and participation of Guyanese as part of good governance, the statement said. It added that the CSF looks forward to meeting with President Granger soon.
The CSF is a group of non-state actors in Guyana, organised under Article 13 of the Constitution. Its purpose is to engage with the State and other non-state actors to ensure that non-state actors are accepted and serve truly as a major partner in Guyana’s governance. “The Forum will be a space to discuss, organise, and coherently communicate the interest of non-state actors to all political parties prior to, during the National Election Campaign, and to the executive and legislative arms of government beyond elections,” the statement said.
The CSF comprises: The Anglican Church of Guyana, the Guyana Human Rights Association, Movement Against Parking Meters, the Inter-Religious Organization, the Guyana Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated, Guyana Rastafarian Community, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, the Private Sector Commission, Red Thread and RISE Guyana.
