Dr Asha Kissoon of The New Movement (TNM) was today elected as the Deputy Speaker of the House to replace Lenox Shuman.
She was nominated by PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and seconded by PPP/C MP Priya Manickchand.
Dr Kissoon defeated Dawn Hastings-Williams who was nominated by APNU+AFC Chief Whip Christopher Jones and seconded by APNU+AFC MP Ganesh Mahipaul.
Traditionally the Deputy Speaker comes from the main opposition but in this 12th Parliament, the PPP/C opted to nominate and support Shuman of the Liberty and Justice Party, who was at the time representing the list joinder which holds one seat in Parliament.
The TNM currently occupies the seat after Shuman’s term ended. The TNM’s term will come to an end shortly and the seat will then be occupied by A New and United Guyana.
The decision by the PPP/C to vote against the APNU+AFC candidate will underline the poor relations between the two major parties.
Dr Kissoon abstained on the vote for Hastings-Williams but voted in favour of herself when her nomination was put to the vote.
There were 33 votes in favour of Dr Kissoon and 31 against.
There were 26 votes in favour of Hastings-Williams, 32 against and one person declined to vote.