As several sections of society call for his resignation in light of the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), retired Justice James Patterson has said he has no comment on the situation.
“I’m not speaking to the press. Not at this stage,” Patterson said when contacted by Stabroek News yesterday.
On Tuesday the court ruled that Patterson’s appointment as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was unconstitutional.
Immediately following the ruling the former judge indicated that he was unsure of how to proceed.
“It is the final court and I hope that those concerned will respect its edict,” he said. However when asked if he was prepared to resign his post as part of showing respect to the “edict of the court”, Patterson said “I haven’t thought of that.”
“I haven’t digested the case I just have an extract. The result was delivered a few hours ago I don’t have time to think of these personal concerns,” he had explained.
Patterson was unilaterally appointed by President David Granger following months of deadlock during which the President rejected three lists with a total of 18 nominees which had been submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
As part of a series of rulings related to governance issues in Guyana, the court concluded that Patterson’s appointment was in breach of the Constitution and invited both sides to make submissions on how the issue should be rectified.
In response Opposition nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj stressed the importance of swift decision.
He said that his duty as a Commissioner is to participate in the commission rather than appoint or constitute its membership but urged that parties with the responsibility of appointing a chairman get their act together very quickly so the work of the commission can start.
“The Chairman has sole power to call meetings which cannot proceed in the absence of a chairman, as a consequence a properly appointed Chairman is essential to the functioning of GECOM,” Gunraj explained.
He noted that “the parties involved have been charged with finding consensus therefore the phase of discussion before consequential orders are issued on June 24 is essential”.
Meanwhile he hopes that “as a former judicial officer Justice Patterson recognizes the importance of adhering to a decision of court” including possibly offering a resignation.
New political parties A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) have also called for Patterson to step down and for President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to select a new candidate.
