Opposition have to “make up” their minds if they want General or Local Government Elections

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar on Friday urged the Opposition to “make up” their minds of what they want, whether its Local Government or General Elections, the latter being the eventual outcome of the no-confidence motion put forward by the Alliance For Change (AFC) against his administration.

The President’s response came after the Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rt’d) David Granger, earlier in the day at the party’s weekly press conference accused the Head of State of failing to keep his promises to the Guyanese people.

“It is very strange that they would place a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly and still be talking about local government elections.”-President Ramotar

According to Granger, nearly three years have passed since general elections were held and the President, prior to him assuming the post of Head of State, stated in his party’s manifesto: “In the area of local government

Opposition, Brig. (Rt.) David Granger

and governance, the next PPP/C government will ensure, within one year of the 2011 general elections, that local government elections are held bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.”
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) as such is calling for the President to remember his promise to Guyana and hold Local Government Elections which could be a possible answer to many issues facing the nation.

Khemraj Ramjattan

President Ramotar however, acknowledging that he did make such a pronouncement during his campaign for presidency, explained that he had also said that because of the uncertainty that developed in the body politics and the politics of the society and that is what prevented him from calling local government elections.
He also stressed that: “It is very strange that they would place a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly and still be talking about local government elections.”
As such, he is urging the Opposition to “make up” their minds of what they want, whether it is local government elections or general elections, the latter being the eventual outcome of the no-confidence motion.
On that note, President made it clear that: “I am ready for any elections.”
The first inkling the public had that the AFC planned moving a no-confidence motion against the Government was way back in mid-June, when party vice-chairman, Moses Nagamootoo hinted at it. He did so by way of an article published in the Stabroek News headlined: ‘AFC considering no-confidence motion against Gov’t’. He, however, acknowledged that to do so would require the support of the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The AFC finally got its wish on Tuesday August 5, when APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger publicly confirmed that his party was fully behind the no-confidence motion.
The first page of the motion reads: “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.”
At his previous press conference, President Donald Ramotar, rather than commit himself to a definitive answer, simply stated that any decision related to the no-confidence motion, including the possibility of calling snap elections, will be made “at the appropriate time.”
According to the pundits, should snap elections not be called before a debate on the Motion, the current administration is expected to be disbanded in preparation for a return to the polls.
As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign, if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”
This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution, supported by no less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”
The last time general elections were held in Guyana was in November 2011.

(By Ravin Singh)