Dear Editor,
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) stands in tandem with the Commonwealth Secretary-General (CSG) Patricia Scotland, (who) in a press release issued by the Commonwealth Secretariat, recognises that constitutional rule in Guyana is not the preserve of any singular entity or actor. In said release, the CSG “urges the President of Guyana and all relevant stakeholders and institutions to restore constitutional rule in Guyana.” Said restoration she said is hinged to “immediately setting an early election date in consonance with its constitution, enabling elections to be held without further delay.”
Whereas the CSG recognises the responsibility of various actors in this process the GTUC has concerns that in the absence of a clear understanding of the roles of those with responsibility and the impact of one on another, the important synergies derived from these can be overlooked or underestimated. Such underestimation will only serve to exacerbate the present state of confusion thus allowing for some taking advantage of others for partisan gain.
Every Guyanese or individual following Guyana’s current political situation is aware of the following, some of which have been made clear in the CSG report. It is this simple:
The President of Guyana is not the only party responsible for the restoration of constitutional rule in Guyana. This requires the input of “relevant stakeholders and institutions.” Those “relevant” we believe to be: a) the government and the political opposition; b) GECOM and the National Assembly. They must each play their respective roles and work together where and when necessary to achieve elections within the appropriate frame of time.
Both the interim Opposition and interim Government must recognise the independent role of GECOM and allow it to do its work without acts of destabilisation that can result in delaying elections already legally and constitutionally delayed due to judicial challenges and appeals which both government and opposition sought to activate.
Given the passage of the no-confidence vote elections are required to restore normalcy in government. Elections must be held, “… in consonance with the constitution” and with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling. Times are noted in: Article 106 (7) which states “within three months…or such longer period…”, the ruling of the CCJ which refers to the upholding of Article 106(7).
The issue of “constitutionally overdue elections” becomes relevant only after GECOM gives the green light that it is ready and capable to conduct a credible election process and the President fails to call same. In this instance given a) the successful no-confidence motion, b) the constitutional delays resulting from exhaustive judicial recourse, c) already by-passing the three months as noted in the court ruling and d) after a 2/3 vote of the National Assembly allowing the government to constitutionally function so as to be able to call an election.
GTUC is reminded and we remind the Secretary General and all other concerned parties, local and international, that Guyana must resolve this crisis constitutionally, peacefully and in a manner that does not add to our chaotic state or further ethnic tensions.
Our constitution provides a return to parliament and an extension of time and interim/caretaker Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo must be called upon as a “relevant stakeholder” to return to the institution of the National Assembly and vote to restore “constitutional rule in Guyana” via conduct of a constitutionally called election in keeping with Article 106(7). GTUC calls on the CSG and others to join us in ensuring “all relevant stakeholders” are held to account. GECOM is doing its job, the others must do theirs.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
GTUC
