Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, along with top leaders of the PPP meeting with representatives of Hindu and Muslim organisations at Parliament Building
December 1, 2016
LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and a team of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Members of Parliament on Wednesday commenced public consultations to find nominees for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.
Jagdeo in his constitutional capacity is required to submit six names to the President from which one will be selected for the critical post. The current chairman of GECOM, Dr Steve Surujbally, has indicated to President David Granger that he intends to resign, but the administration is insisting on a seamless transition.
In a statement from his office, Jagdeo said in pursuit of the practice of inclusionary democracy he has provided an opportunity for citizens’ participation through their respective organisations in the process of the nomination of individuals to be submitted to the President for selection of the new Chairman of GECOM, in keeping with Article 161 (1) (2) of the Constitution of Guyana.
Jagdeo said on Wednesday that he led a delegation of PPP/C parliamentarians who consulted with representatives of the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and labour communities at the Parliament Building. These consultations, he said, will continue today with the private sector, youth, women, indigenous leaders, professional bodies and other prominent Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
“These engagements saw wide-ranging discussions on the importance of a strong and effective GECOM and the submission of names to be considered for the appointment of a new Chairman,” Jagdeo’s office said in a statement. These organisations also seized the opportunity to discuss other issues directly and indirectly affecting their constituencies, requesting the opposition to make appropriate interventions at various levels, inclusive of representation in the National Assembly.
