Keon Playter – ‘It is my humble and honest opinion that the no-confidence motion tabled against the present administration is one of great importance to the future of this country. I personally feel as though the country is being stifled by the decisions being made which clearly isn’t in the interest of the people and country as a whole. So a no-confidence is a good wake up call.’
Carwyn Holland -`The NCM to me was an illegal act. It however brought many up to speed with Guyana’s system of governance and the correlation of the three arms of government. The most important thing is that it woke up the government and exposed the deficiency in the legislative system, but provides an opportunity to make it right. It also helped to government to see actors against its interest or enemies who boldly revealed themselves. Finally the NCM proved the truth of the Holy Bible which says `the heart of man is desperately wicked’’.
Kristina Muthusami – ‘On December 21, 2018 the government was brought down by a vote of no-confidence. As a young citizen, I believe that the government should respect the constitution of our country as the provisions of the constitution are very clear on the effect of the successful passage of the no-confidence motion. Following a ruling at the high court, the Chief Justice ruled the no-confidence motion as valid. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: `The cabinet including the President shall resign if the government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.’ Article 106 (7) further states that: `Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.’ A constitution is clearly defined `as the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determines the powers and duties of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people in it.’ In the eyes of a young citizen, I can clearly see that the government is violating the constitution of our country and GECOM is partaking in the violation of the constitution. I highly condemn this act of the Government and GECOM. This can lead our country to a constitutional crisis. For us, the young people and the future of our country we are calling on the government to resign and hold elections.’
Paul Isaacs – ‘I think the government should have gone with what the constitution says and the constitution does say elections after the no confidence vote. It looks as if they are delaying with the process. I am a supporter of the government but I feel they should have followed the right path. The court actions in my views are not wrong, it can help future discussion. It was a good move to go to the court and ask for its interpretation’.
Vanita A Bipat- ‘For me the No Confidence Motion was a good move by the opposition because I think the only thing this government has done so far is kill the sugar and rice industries. I think while we are thankful to Mr. Charrandass Persaud for making elections possible before 2020, we now have to wait and see if the government will stick to the constitution. As a young person that is watching them, I hope they make the right move and uphold the laws of this group instead of trying to find a loophole in every situation.’
George- ‘The no con
fidence motion has really brought about a lot of confusion and people need explanation. I don’t think it was necessary for a young government. The Government should be respected because they didn’t back down from the no confidence vote even though they never realised what the no confidence motion would have caused. The no confidence motion has really brought about a lot of confusion and people need explanation. They are right to go to the courts if you feel you don’t have justice, the court is there to grant justice. I don’t know why all these big men with knowledge fighting up. The law has to run its course. When Gecom feels the time is right for elections they would say so. The youths should be able to get registered and be able to vote. The point is, now that we have discovered oil everybody wants to get their hands on it and that is how the whole no confidence motion came about.’
Pamela Hetemyer ‘You think of having a member of your family expecting them to support you and then all of a sudden went against you how would you feel? That man didn’t give any indication he felt differently. He should have been publicly saying he disagreed with what was happening. I think the government should do the right thing and hold elections. Also the youths should get the opportunity to register and vote. They should cleanse the list to get rid of the dead people. The opposition should allow this process since they want free and fair elections’.
R. Ramsaran- ‘In my view the no- confidence motion was a wake- up call to the government, it seems as if they were taking things for granted and moving with a laidback approach. I do however feel that it was too early to have a no confidence vote against such a young government. The government should have nevertheless looked at holding elections at the earliest date to maintain their integrity. In terms of the court proceedings, I don’t think it was wrong it has served as learning opportunity for all of us and allowed us to have a better understanding of the constitution.’
