Controversial former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice James Patterson passed away yesterday at his Century Palm, D’Urban Park, Georgetown home after a period of illness.
He was 89 years old and just two weeks short of his 90th birthday.
Justice Patterson had been controversially appointed as GECOM Chair on October 19th, 2017, following then President David Granger’s rejection of three lists of nominees submitted by then Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo.
Over a period of 11 months, Jagdeo, in keeping with the provisions of Article 161(2) of the Constitution, had submitted the names of a total of 18 persons whom he believed could hold the post of Chairman.
Granger rejected all of the lists and unilaterally appointed the then 84-year-old Patterson.
However, after a case that reached the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), it was ruled that Patterson’s appointment by Granger was unconstitutional. He then resigned.