PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, yesterday, formally stated why he has withheld his assent to the Local Government Amendment Bill that sets August 1 as the deadline for the holding of local government elections.In a letter sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, President Ramotar said that he is withholding his signature in accordance with Article 170 (2) of the Guyana Constitution.
He went on to explain that in accordance with that article, the reason for him withholding his assent to the bill is because the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has publicly declared that it is impractical to hold Local Government Elections on or before August 1, 2014 as mandated by the bill.
Meanwhile, Speaker Trotman when contacted for a comment on President Ramotar’s position stated that he has noted the position of the president and has sent a copy of the signed letter to all the Members of Parliament.
Trotman said that the next step will be the discussion on President Ramotar’s position when the House sits again and the way forward will then be determined.
The Speaker of the House had told the Guyana Chronicle that he is not sure if the position of President Ramotar is valid and stated that it will be the political parties who will have to consult with their representatives on the Guyana Elections Commission to see if that position is indeed held by GECOM.
According to him, he is of the view that the bill could have been assented to and then returned to the National Assembly for amendments where necessary, rather than not having a bill all together. Trotman said that not having a Local Government Bill and Local Government Elections is undemocratic.

(By Leroy Smith )