GECOM “aware of possibility” of General Elections - PRO
February 10, 2014, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source
The anticipated acrimonious parliamentary debate over this year’s 2014 budget has presented in the minds of some, the possibility of General Elections, and the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) is no different.
GECOM’S PRO Vishnu Persaud
GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Vishnu Persaud told Kaieteur News that in relation to a possible call for General Elections, “the Commission has already started thinking along those lines and started to put itself together for that eventuality.”
He said that should the President inform the Commission to convene for national polls, the organization would have three months (90 days) to prepare, unless Parliament asks for additional time. Persaud related that President Donald Ramotar would consult with the Elections Commission, which would in turn explain its position in terms of its readiness.
He added that the Commission would also have to carry out a claims and objections exercise to create a voters list. This exercise, he explained, would give an opportunity for persons not registered to get on the voters list, while helping in other areas such as identifying deceased voters.
Persuad said, “We are aware of the possibility of elections,” before adding that, “as long as the finance is there, the Commission will be able to pull it off.” Persuad explained, however, that the life of Parliament lasts for five years and the time span is checked from the time of the first sitting of the Assembly. He noted that if the budget is not passed the possibility exists that Parliament can be “prorogue” (parliamentary sessions could be discontinued) and the President could make the call.
The eventuality of national polls lies with the recent court ruling of Chief Justice Ian Chang, which restricts the political opposition from making any cuts to allocations put forward by the government. The CJ ruled that opposition does not have the power to amend sums allocated to various public agencies. He said that although Parliament gives the opposition the power to amend, amend in that context means only to approve or disapprove aspects of the budget that the opposing House did not agree with or to oppose the whole budget if seen fitting.
The two leading opposition parties have disagreed with the CJ’s ruling and noted that they will continue to make cuts where they deem necessary. The party leaders say that they are convinced that they have the right to make amendments according to the Parliamentary procedures. House Speaker Raphael Trotman has indicated his intention to uphold the CJ’s ruling despite him not being in agreement and highlighting the opposition’s right to appeal the matter.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has however slammed the opposition for statements about them not willing to adhere to the CJ’s ruling. The AG represented the government during the budget cut case, which was brought to the court by the current Administration after the opposition had significantly reduced funds from certain areas in the 2012 budget.
Finance Minister Ashni Singh stated that the opposition’s responses to the ruling, “and in particular their apparent refusal to accept the conclusiveness and authoritativeness of the ruling, display their continued contempt for the courts of Guyana.”
The Minister accused the opposition that despite numerous invitations to the parties for consultations on the 2014 budget, “they have bluntly announced their refusal to participate.” The opposition has however denied the Minister’s allegations and reiterated their stance to impose vast cuts on ministries, government departments and projects which they feel are riddled with corruption or wasteful spending.