Dr Asha Kissoon, head of The New Movement (TNM) is set to replace Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) member Lenox Shuman in parliament and represent the joiner party, sources have confirmed to Stabroek News.
The replacement comes on the heels of Shuman’s resignation as a Member of Parliament in keeping with the regulations of the joinder party. Shuman, whose resignation takes effect from March 31, 2023, was also Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Stabroek News understands that the parties on the joinder list, which include A New and United Guyana (ANUG) are expected to make an announcement later this week.
Stabroek News understands that Kissoon is expected to serve approximately 90 days in parliament.
The joinder party began consultations a couple of weeks ago on the replacement. Kian Jabour, an executive member of ANUG had told Stabroek News that they were following the necessary protocols set out by Parliament and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to fill the vacant spot.
The extensive consultation process served to ensure all parties benefit from the joinder agreement and contribute meaningfully in the National Assembly.
Jabour noted that this matter was also part of the discussion. “We have been considering that fact… When elections are called at the end of the term, Parliament goes into suspension and they [the TNM] potentially will not be able to contribute.”
Shuman’s resignation letter, seen by this newspaper, informed the House that his move was to facilitate the next party in the joinder agreement to occupy the parliamentary seat.
The parties had agreed to their votes being counted collectively to improve their chances at securing seats in the National Assembly. This agreement derived from Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, under which they agreed to apply for a joinder.
The parties had contested the polls separately but in tabulating votes for the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and on the Regional Democratic Councils, their votes were combined.
According to the Act, two or more lists of candidates shall be joined for the distribution of seats (but not for the purpose of voting) if the representative and deputy representative of each list to be so joined gives notice accordingly in writing to the Chief Election Officer not later than the 25th day before election day. It adds that lists so joined are to be referred to collectively as a combination of lists. This use of the joinder approach was a first-time application since the provision was made in 1963.
Meanwhile, with Shuman’s departure from the National Assembly, a new Deputy Speaker will also need to be elected.
The Deputy Speaker of the House is usually drawn from the opposition ranks. The major opposition – APNU+AFC – holds 31 seats and it might have been expected that the Deputy Speaker would have emerged from that coalition’s ranks. However, 34 MPs – 33 from the PPP/C and Shuman – had voted for the former toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission. Prime Minister Mark Phillips nominated him and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira seconded the nomination.
