Appointment of Chancellor, Chief Justice dependent on Harmon recognising Govt. as legitimate – Head of State

Aug 03, 2021 News, Source - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...imate-head-of-state/

Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has said that the confirmation of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice is dependent on the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, recognising his government as legitimate.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

During a press engagement yesterday to mark one year since swearing into office, the President called on Harmon to concede to the legitimacy of his government so that they can move forward with other orders of business.

“I am sure Harmon definitively knows who also the Leader of the Opposition is and who is the President so the ball is in his court to do the right thing and I’m hoping… I’m a very positive person. I’m hoping that very soon, he will stop his reckless statements about the government and do what is right in the interest of the people of Guyana,” the President said in response to questions about the delayed confirmations of the two top judicial officers.

The procedures for the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice are outlined in Article 127 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. Article 127 (1) states specifically, “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

Ali said the failure by Harmon to recognise him as legitimately elected has prevented any form of consultation. Earlier this year, the Opposition Leader made a public call on the President to confirm the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the acting Chief Justice.

Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

Back then, it was noted how regrettable it is that Guyana remains without a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice. But this has been the case during the last three presidencies in Guyana after a constitutional amendment was made to allow the two top judicial office holders to be appointed substantively by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Opposition Leader.

Currently, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards is performing the duties of Chancellor and Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire is performing the duties of Chief Justice. They were both appointed by former President David Granger in 2017.

Guyana’s last substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary was Justice Desiree Bernard. She served until 2005 and was in that position before the constitution was amended.

“I am prepared to meet with President Ali” to discuss Chancellor, Chief Justice appointments– Harmon

Posted by: Denis Chabrol in Courts, News, Politics Monday, 2 August 2021, 22:38 0 Comments, Last Updated on Monday, 2 August 2021, 22:38 by Denis Chabrol, Source - https://demerarawaves.com/2021...appointments-harmon/

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Monday said he was prepared to hold constitutionally required consultations with President Irfaan Ali on the appointment of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.

“I wish to categorically state, once again, that I am ready, willing and able to engage in consultations on this matter at the earliest opportunity. I am prepared to meet with President Ali for consultation this week, as early as tomorrow, if he is so inclined,” said Mr. Harmon.

His position came several hours after the Guyanese leader publicly refused to hold such consultations unless Mr. Harmon recognises the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) as the legitimately elected government.

The Opposition Leader earlier this year called on the President to confirm Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings and Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire who have been acting since 2017. Ms. Cummings was appointed to act as Chancellor to succeed Justice Carl Singh who retired in 2017 after acting in that position for 12 years.

But Mr. Harmon stopped short of openly dismissing Dr. Ali’s calls for A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to admit that it lost the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections as a condition for consultations on the positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice.  “President Ali’s imposition of unrealistic, unnecessary and outrageous extra-constitutional conditionalities is clearly an attempt to further stall the appointment of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice,” the Opposition Leader added.

Mr. Harmon accused the PPP in government and in opposition, of engaging in political intransigence that has caused Guyana to be without a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice for decades.  “The PPP simply does not want substantive appointments to be made to these two top judicial positions. The PPP wishes to hold non-confirmation as the sword of Damocles over the heads of those appointed to act,” the Opposition Leader added. Then President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Sir Denis Byron had in 2017 urged “the high officials of our community” to abide by the constitution appoint the highest judicial officials, as an important means of guaranteeing judicial independence to citizens.

Then-President David Granger had wanted to appoint Guyanese Justice Kenneth Benjamin to the post of Chancellor and Justice Cummings as Chief Justice, but then-Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had refused to give his consent on the grounds  of undisclosed findings of  his due diligence.

@Former Member posted:

Appointment of Chancellor, Chief Justice dependent on Harmon recognising Govt. as legitimate – Head of State

Aug 03, 2021 News, Source - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...imate-head-of-state/

Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali has said that the confirmation of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice is dependent on the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, recognising his government as legitimate.

During a press engagement yesterday to mark one year since swearing into office, the President called on Harmon to concede to the legitimacy of his government so that they can move forward with other orders of business.

@Former Member posted:

“I am prepared to meet with President Ali” to discuss Chancellor, Chief Justice appointments– Harmon

Posted by: Denis Chabrol in Courts, News, Politics Monday, 2 August 2021, 22:38 0 Comments, Last Updated on Monday, 2 August 2021, 22:38 by Denis Chabrol, Source - https://demerarawaves.com/2021...appointments-harmon/

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Monday said he was prepared to hold constitutionally required consultations with President Irfaan Ali on the appointment of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.

“I wish to categorically state, once again, that I am ready, willing and able to engage in consultations on this matter at the earliest opportunity. I am prepared to meet with President Ali for consultation this week, as early as tomorrow, if he is so inclined,” said Mr. Harmon.

His position came several hours after the Guyanese leader publicly refused to hold such consultations unless Mr. Harmon recognises the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) as the legitimately elected government.

Perhaps, an clear indication that Joseph Harmon has finally accepted and recognized the government of President Irfaan Ali.

@Former Member posted:

Perhaps, an clear indication that Joseph Harmon has finally accepted and recognized the government of President Irfaan Ali.

perhaps you haven't noticed but it has always been the coalition's position to meet with ali and his band of crooks to assist with the smooth and the country

but the university of uitvlugt graduate wants recognition by the coalition first. that must never happen!

recognition has implications for the petitions working their way through the courts. perhaps understanding this is very difficult for you

go ahead, give this post the thumbs down like you do sometimes as you've nothing much else to say