Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that he is willing to meet with President David Granger at “any time, and, on a daily basis,” if necessary, to address the appointment of a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
In a letter sent to Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon yesterday, former opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira indicated that Jagdeo is prepared to meet in keeping with the ruling made by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on June 18th and following the announcement that Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson has stepped down as Chairman of the GECOM.
She made specific reference to several paragraphs of the Court’s ruling, including paragraph nine, which states that “the most sensible approach …was for the Leader of the Opposition and the President to communicate with each other in good faith and perhaps even meet to discuss, eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before a list is formally submitted.”
“The aim of these discussions must be to agree the names of six persons who fit the stated eligibility requirements and who are not unacceptable to the President. In this regard, the Court noted that the Constitution anticipates that the Leader of the Opposition and the President will conduct themselves in a reasonable and responsible manner, eschew partisanship and seek the best interests of the Republic and the Guyanese people,” the paragraph concludes.
Teixeira requested that the letter and judgment be brought to the President’s attention as soon as possible before advising that contact should be made with her to coordinate meetings between the President and the Leader of the Opposition.
Following the court’s ruling last week, CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders scheduled a hearing for Monday to hear from the parties on the consequential orders. The court expressed its hope that the parties would come to agreement among themselves on the orders to be made.
Government sent an invitation last Friday to Jagdeo, seeking a meeting with him after the expected handing down of the consequential orders by the CCJ on Monday.
“His Excellency, the President extends his warm regards and invites you to meet with him at the Ministry of the Presidency at a time convenient to yourselves, after Monday, June 24th, 2019,” the letter, signed by Harmon, stated.
“His Excellency wishes to discuss the current political situation in Guyana resulting from the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice, made on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 and the consequential orders which will be made on Monday, June 24, 2019,” it added.
While Jagdeo acknowledged receipt of the letter, he only responded yesterday.
Their representatives reported the situation to the court on Monday and more time was granted in hopes that there would be some productive engagement ahead of the orders being made on July 12th.
