The Alliance For Change (AFC) has accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of deliberately delaying the convening of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) because it is unlikely to win the positions of Chair and Vice Chair.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Friday, AFC General Secretary David Patterson described the delay in appointing the elected councillors as “a shameful disregard of the rights of the people of Region Eight to have their elected officials preside over their affairs” and announced that his party will be approaching the High Court to see the matter resolved.
The crux of the delay, according to AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan, is the refusal of the representative of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) to support a PPP/C candidate for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Jimmy James, of the LJP, holds the balance of power on the council, since the government and main opposition coalition APNU+AFC each hold seven seats. His vote is, therefore, crucial to the elections of Chair and Vice Chair of the Council.
According to Ramjattan, there are efforts being made to remove him as LJP Councillor because he refused to comply with the PPP/C.
“The matter is now at [the Guyana Elections Commission],” he announced.
There have so far been two attempts to swear in the elected members of the RDC; the first failed after several designated councillors tested positive for COVID-19, while the second was derailed when Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mitzy Campbell cancelled a November 11th meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
At the time Campbell told Stabroek News that the meeting was cancelled because two of the 15 councillors “had emergencies”. She declined to name the councillors affected but added that all councillors will be informed of the date of the re-scheduled meeting once it is decided.
It appears this date is still to be decided.
Sunday Stabroek reached out to Campbell yesterday and she said that a meeting would be scheduled “as soon as I get word”
Asked about what or from who this “word” would be coming, Campbell said she would not be commenting.
Speaking on behalf of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Amna Ally said it was ridiculous that the meeting had not been convened.
“All other regions have had their elections and are properly operating. This is untenable,” she stressed while indicating that she had also been informed that efforts are underway to have James removed as a councillor.
Efforts to reach LJP leader Lenox Shuman proved futile as did efforts to reach the representative of the party list John Flores.
A source within the party, however, indicated that efforts to change the councillor were related to James’ ill health.
