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Int’l body warns against Granger’s growing dictatorial powers

October 22, 2017

…calls Patterson’s secret appointment an assault on democracy

The International Centre for Democracy (ICD) has called on Guyanese from all walks of life – at home and in the Diaspora – to put aside differences to work in solidarity to stop the consolidation of a dictatorship in Guyana since the country is poised to return to the pre-1992 days.
The clarion call came over the weekend in response to the secret appointment of Justice (rtd) James Patterson which the ICD says “may also be interpreted as a lack of political will by the President to involve the electorate and the Opposition, in what alternatively, ought to have been a transparent process.”
The ICD has since publicly called on the international community “to sanction President Granger and the Guyana Government for their blatant violation and disregard for the Constitution and for promoting dictatorship, racism and division among Guyanese.”
According to the International Democracy watchdog body, “we believe that since President Granger has declined to provide a legally sound justification for having declined the three lists comprising of 18 candidates nominated by the Opposition, his sudden appointment of Justice (Retired) James Patterson to the seat is not merely undemocratic, but wholly obstructive to the principles of inclusive governance.”
The body, in a missive, voiced its belief that the way the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been appointed creates an environment of suspicion and distrust in Guyana, “a country that is already highly polarised… It also generates wider suspicion since there is still a very strong view among the Guyanese people at home and in the Diaspora that the 2015 elections were not entirely free and fair.”
The International Centre for Democracy has since registered its objection and condemnation of the undemocratic process that President Granger took in appointing the GECOM Chairman saying “the unilateral appointment of Mr Patterson as GECOM’s Chairman is a crippling blow to democracy in Guyana and worse further polarise our people.”
According to the ICD, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has displayed patience and conducted wide consultation with both political and civil society and that the three lists submitted by the Opposition Leader contained names of distinguished Guyanese professionals and that each of the three lists contained names of persons qualified to be the chair of GECOM.
“The arbitrary rejection of the three lists of candidates submitted by the Opposition as provided for by Article 161 (2) of the Constitution breaches both the law and the spirit of the Constitution. It also demonstrates a lack of respect for well-qualified Guyanese professionals and render the appeal of the President for qualified Guyanese to return home a hallow request.”
The first list of names was submitted in December last year by Jagdeo and included Major General (retd) Norman McLean; Attorney and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Business Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Lawrence Lachmansingh: Rights Activist Ryhaan Shah; and Professor James Rose.
This list was rejected by the President after the Opposition Leader submitted for consideration former appellate Judge BS Roy, former High Court Justice William Ramlall, former Magistrate and now practising Attorney Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, Attorneys Kashir Khan and Nadia Sagar, and former Guyana Defence Force Captain and businessman Gerald Gouveia for the post.
This was also rejected before Jagdeo on August 25, submitted a third list containing Joe Singh, a retired Guyana Defence Force Major General, who previously served as GECOM Chairman; former long-serving Magistrate Krishenndat Persaud; Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin; pilot and biodiversity advocate Annette Arjoon-Martins; and Adventist pastor and agriculturalist Onesi La Fleur.
Subsequent to the resignation of former GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally in February 2017, a collaborative engagement mandated by Article 160 of the Constitution was initiated between President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition, with the purpose of filling the vacant seat.
Since 1992, the appointment of the Chairman has been guided by the well-known Carter formula, whereby the Leader of the Opposition chooses six candidates and the President chooses one of the candidates as the Chairman. The Carter formula has become enshrined into the Constitution and is part of the law of Guyana.
During the process that started with the resignation of Dr Surujbally, President Granger changed the process, insisting that only he could determine who is “fit and proper”.
He also insisted initially that all the candidates nominated by the Leader of the Opposition must be a person who was a Judge or a person qualified to be a Judge.
The ICD has since observed that not only has the President unilaterally changed the requirements, he ignored the ruling of the Chief Justice, a ruling that confirmed the President was acting in contravention of the Constitution.
The Chief Justice had provided a ruling after a citizen asked the courts for an interpretation of the constitutional requirement for selecting the Chairman.
The International Center for Democracy maintains that the rigid adherence to the formula and the process is critical to generate confidence and trust in the electoral process.
“The behaviour of the President in disavowing both the Carter formula and the Constitution is an assault on Guyana’s democracy… The assault is even more egregious since the Chief Justice of Guyana offered the courts interpretation that was consistent with the practice since 1992 and with how the Leader of the Opposition today and in all instances in the past interpreted the Constitution,” the international body stated.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Former Member

The man learned from the best swine Guyana had produced...Burnham. It's Burnhamism all over. Look for the revival of the 70s and 80s. Guyanese are the most unfortunate people in the world.

10/22/1710:12 AM

Former Member

International Center for Democracy

The name of this org is a bigger than its worth. I don't even know who are the executives.

10/22/1710:29 AM

Former Member

Prince posted:
International Center for Democracy
The name of this org is a bigger than its worth. I don't even know who are the executives.

Research it nah bai. Everything is on Google nowadays.

Or are you like other Trump supporters who wants to go back to the 18th century?

10/22/1711:52 AM

Former Member

Organizations comprising Guyanese in the diaspora and well-wishers can play a significant role today just as the Association of Concerned Guyanese [ACG] and well-wishers played a vital role to restore democracy in 1992. The big task is to engender and expand awareness internationally so that pressure could be brought to bear on Granger. Every little bit helps.

10/22/1712:32 PM

Former Member

It appears that Granger got the go ahead from the West, gb, ca and us to reject Jagdeo's list and appoint his own rigger. The west have an appetite for dictators when it suits their needs.

10/22/172:46 PM

Former Member

Drugb posted:
It appears that Granger got the go ahead from the West, gb, ca and us to reject Jagdeo's list and appoint his own rigger. The west have an appetite for dictators when it suits their needs.

Correct and it is definitely showing in Guyana.

10/22/172:51 PM

Former Member

Drugb posted:
It appears that Granger got the go ahead from the West, gb, ca and us to reject Jagdeo's list and appoint his own rigger. The west have an appetite for dictators when it suits their needs.

Django, you are right on spot.

The Americans said to Granger, we helped to put you in power, find ways to stay in and protect our interest. ACG is an Indo organization made up of grassroot PPPites. It's not broad-based, all-inclusive. International Center for Democracy is another Pro PPP/Indo Org. They are asking to join and give donations, but no executive names were given.

10/22/172:59 PM

DjangoAdmin

http://www.icdemocracy.org/

This is an recently formed org,in NY.

http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html

click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo

10/22/173:42 PM

Former Member

Gilbakka posted:
Organizations comprising Guyanese in the diaspora and well-wishers can play a significant role today

Funny. Fighting down Granger to put in Jagdeo who is even worse.

Let people in Guyana deal with their own political problems. They slavishly vote PPP or PNC and don't hold Guyanese politicians to account. For 51 years this has been an issue and until it is dealt with people are just wasting their time.

10/22/173:47 PM

Former Member

Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo

Supporting Jagdeo the dictator. Hmmmm.

10/22/173:48 PM

DjangoAdmin

caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
Supporting Jagdeo the dictator. Hmmmm.

Check here no members.

http://www.icdemocracy.org/our-members.html

Their office.

International Center for Democracy
126-03 Liberty Avenue, Suite 2
Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Email:info@icdemocracy.org

10/22/173:56 PM

Former Member

Django posted:
caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
Supporting Jagdeo the dictator. Hmmmm.
Check here no members.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/our-members.html
Their office.
International Center for Democracy
126-03 Liberty Avenue, Suite 2
Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Email:info@icdemocracy.org

The address is upstairs of a laundromat opposite Al Abidin Masque. My old office was on 128th Street.

10/22/174:24 PM

Former Member

Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo

People can say as they wish but the visage of that Grand Wizard of the Indo KKK grinning in many of their pictures shows that this is a PPP front.

10/22/174:27 PM

cainTired old hippie

Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo

Women or men? The women dem lookin' nice banna.

10/22/1710:20 PM

MitwahSenior Member

Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?

10/22/1710:31 PM

MitwahSenior Member

Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo

#29, Jagdeo hiding the jewels. Who is the headless woman in the picture?

10/22/1710:41 PM

MitwahSenior Member

caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
People can say as they wish but the visage of that Grand Wizard of the Indo KKK grinning in many of their pictures shows that this is a PPP front.

There are lots of Afro supporters there?

10/22/1710:44 PM

MitwahSenior Member

Bibi / Aleana how credible is this organization? Never heard about it.

10/22/1711:05 PM

PointblankSenior Member

Django posted:
caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
Supporting Jagdeo the dictator. Hmmmm.
Check here no members.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/our-members.html
Their office.
International Center for Democracy
126-03 Liberty Avenue, Suite 2
Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Email:info@icdemocracy.org

Thats Totaram office address. Remember the contract he got from BJ

10/22/1711:49 PM

PointblankSenior Member

Mitwah posted:
caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
People can say as they wish but the visage of that Grand Wizard of the Indo KKK grinning in many of their pictures shows that this is a PPP front.
There are lots of Afro supporters there?

Not necessarily supporters but invitees to an opening

10/22/1711:50 PM

Former Member

Mitwah posted:
Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?

Bai, lef dem gyal nuh. Dem doing dem thing. You doing yuh thing. Everybody doing dem thing.

10/23/171:04 AM

cainTired old hippie

I doan mind doin someademm too.

10/23/171:18 AM

DjangoAdmin

https://www.facebook.com/iCDemocracy/

Check out their FB page,this is front org.,backing Jagdeo.

Photo section Launching of org. in summer of 2017.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/iC...s/?ref=page_internal

10/23/175:16 AM

MitwahSenior Member

ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?
Bai, lef dem gyal nuh. Dem doing dem thing. You doing yuh thing. Everybody doing dem thing.

Who is the short guy there with them standing in front of Jagdeo?

10/23/176:29 AM

Former Member

Mitwah posted:
caribny posted:
Django posted:
http://www.icdemocracy.org/
This is an recently formed org,in NY.
http://www.icdemocracy.org/official-launch.html
click on link above there a pictures when launched,two GNI members posing with Jagdeo
People can say as they wish but the visage of that Grand Wizard of the Indo KKK grinning in many of their pictures shows that this is a PPP front.
There are lots of Afro supporters there?

Local Afro politicians hustling doing 'constituency' work

I notice the usual suspects who are not [yet?] in jail, that is

10/23/176:37 AM

MarsSenior Member

Prince posted:
International Center for Democracy
The name of this org is a bigger than its worth. I don't even know who are the executives.

Bibi, her sister Alena and a few rum shop buddies from Richmond Hill are being described as an "international body". Hilarious!

10/23/1710:40 AM

NehruBig Mouth Member

Many of these same FOOLS and DUMMIES had no problem with Hinds Democracy Inst during PPP Rule!! These RACIST will always try to put Indians down and that is the plain TRUTH!!!!

10/23/1710:58 AM

Former Member

Nehru posted:
Many of these same FOOLS and DUMMIES had no problem with Hinds Democracy Inst during PPP Rule!! These RACIST will always try to put Indians down and that is the plain TRUTH!!!!

Indians did put Hinds Dem inst down....

Bai...I have seen it work both ways on here...plenty times

10/23/1711:01 AM

MarsSenior Member

RiffRaff posted:
Nehru posted:
Many of these same FOOLS and DUMMIES had no problem with Hinds Democracy Inst during PPP Rule!! These RACIST will always try to put Indians down and that is the plain TRUTH!!!!
Indians did put Hinds Dem inst down....
Bai...I have seen it work both ways on here...plenty times

What is the full name of this Democracy Inst linked to Hinds? I've never heard Hinds try to pass himself of as being an "international body."

10/23/1711:06 AM

Former Member

Mitwah posted:
ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?
Bai, lef dem gyal nuh. Dem doing dem thing. You doing yuh thing. Everybody doing dem thing.
Who is the short guy there with them standing in front of Jagdeo?

I don't even know which photo you are referring to nor do I care. I prefer posters to be unknown to me.

10/23/1712:47 PM

Former Member

Mitwah posted:

There are lots of Afro supporters there?

Who? I see one or two black politicians looking for money.

10/23/171:34 PM

cainTired old hippie

ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?
Bai, lef dem gyal nuh. Dem doing dem thing. You doing yuh thing. Everybody doing dem thing.
Who is the short guy there with them standing in front of Jagdeo?
I don't even know which photo you are referring to nor do I care. I prefer posters to be unknown to me.

Same here banna..I does just like look at cute women dem.

10/23/174:32 PM

Former Member

cain posted:
ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
ksazma posted:
Mitwah posted:
Those GNI sisters looking sharp. Heheheh, Didi is wuh happen to dem jewelry? No necklace, no bangles?
Bai, lef dem gyal nuh. Dem doing dem thing. You doing yuh thing. Everybody doing dem thing.
Who is the short guy there with them standing in front of Jagdeo?
I don't even know which photo you are referring to nor do I care. I prefer posters to be unknown to me.
Same here banna..I does just like look at cute women dem.

Unlike me who likes looking at all women.

10/23/178:30 PM

Former Member

found these

12/12/1710:08 AM

Former Member

ksazma posted:

I don't even know which photo you are referring to nor do I care. I prefer posters to be unknown to me.
Same here banna..I does just like look at cute women dem.
Unlike me who likes looking at all women.

Feast your eyes bro

12/12/1710:24 AM

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Topics

Int’l body warns against Granger’s growing dictatorial powers

…calls Patterson’s secret appointment an assault on democracy

International Center for Democracy

International Center for Democracy

International Center for Democracy

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