Ramjattan, Granger differ on importance of no-confidence motion
October 23, 2014, Source - Guyana Chronicle
LEADER of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, yesterday disclosed that the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has indicated to him that the no-confidence motion is a “big” priority.
“The APNU has indicated to me that they will not resile from their commitment to support the no-confidence motion. They have also indicated that it is a big priority for them,” he said.
However, APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, has made it clear that while his party will support the motion, when it comes up for consideration in the National Assembly, it is not a priority for the coalition.
Khemraj Ramjattan
In a comment to a local daily, Granger, in response to a specific question, said the motion is not a priority for his 26-seat coalition.
LGE PROTESTS
For more than a month now, Granger and APNU members and supporters have been engaged in protest action in different parts of the country, as they demand that the Government set a date for Local Government Elections (LGE).
The protests followed the expiration of an ultimatum given to President Donald Ramotar by APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger.
Mr. Granger had called on the Head of State to set a date for local government elections before September 15 or face the “mobilisation of national and international” support by the party to ensure the elections are held.
Before the ultimatum, the APNU had made clear its support for the AFC’s no-confidence motion, which, if passed with majority support, could see Guyana heading to early general elections.
There have since been calls for the APNU Leader to explain what it is his party wants, since if the no-confidence motion is debated and passed, there will be a move to general elections, and as such, setting a date for local government elections would be futile.
NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION
The first inkling the public had that the AFC planned moving a no-confidence motion against the Government was back in mid-June, when party Vice-Chairman, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo hinted at it.
He did so by way of an article published in the Stabroek News and 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’s position was strengthened 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.” It was seconded by AFC Executive Member and Member of Parliament (MP), Mrs. Cathy Hughes.
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, (approve); and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”
A date for the next sitting of the National Assembly, which came out of recess on October 10, is yet to be decided. The AFC is pressing for a sitting at the earliest, at which time it expects to have the no-confidence motion brought up for consideration.
Source - http://guyanachronicle.com/ram...o-confidence-motion/
