Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon on Thursday disclosed that he has not been contacted by President Irfaan Ali to consult on reconstituting the Integrity Commission.
“No, I have not been contacted. I received a letter asking for nominees for the Local Government Commission, a letter for a nominee for the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority and for nomination to the Law and Order Commission. There has been no overture about consultation for the various appointments which need it,” Harmon said in an invited comment.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the last commissioners on February 21, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira had disclosed that the process of installing a new board had commenced.
Speaking in the National Assembly during the consideration of the estimates for her Ministry on March 3, Teixeira said that she was “hopeful that new members will be appointed shortly.”
There has since been no update on the process and attempts to reach the minister were unsuccessful.
According to the Act which governs the Commission, the Chair must be qualified to be a puisne judge of the High Court or any other fit or proper person while the other member or members must “appear to the President” to be qualified in their particular field. They are to be appointed following “consultation with the minority leader”.
During the consideration of the estimates, Teixeira stressed that while the Act allows for the President to consult with the Opposition Leader, it is not mandatory that a mutual decision be made.
She pointed out that Harmon can submit his recommendations but it entirely up to the President to decide who to appoint to the board within the criteria of the Act.
The Commission is provided for by the Integrity Commission Act, which makes provisions for the purpose of securing the integrity of persons in public life.
