Restore constitutional rule in Guyana by setting an early election date – Commonwealth Secretary-General
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, has issued a call for the restoration of constitutional rule in Guyana, urging President David Granger to immediately set an early election date, “enabling elections without further delay.”
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Secretary-General stated that a general election in Guyana is now “constitutionally overdue”.
“The CCJ’s ruling was clear that the Guyana Constitution sets out certain requirements for the time of an election after the valid passing of a no confidence motion”, she said. The Secretary-General further stated that “the rule of law and constitutional governance are fundamental Commonwealth values to which Guyana has subscribed.”
The Secretary-General said that talks have been held with Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, regarding Commonwealth support to GECOM.
The Secretary-General’s call for the restoration of constitutional rule echoes the sentiments of statements made last week by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. The ABE Countries, in a joint statement, called for the President to set an early elections date while noting that the Government is currently in breach of the constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders.
