THE contention, as expressed by members of the combined Opposition, that the current administration is ‘worried’ about the no-confidence motion was dismissed by President Donald Ramotar.“It is absolute nonsense (that the Government is worried)…for us it does not matter which election comes first. We are prepared for any elections, local government or general elections,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.
According to the Head of State, the no-confidence motion has been the subject of discussions by his Cabinet. “We are always discussing it, we are discussing different things,” Mr. Ramotar said.
The no-confidence motion was moved against the Government by the minority Alliance for Change (AFC) Party and submitted to the National Assembly via its Clerk, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs. 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, 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 Party 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.”
The Head of State also reiterated that any decision related to the no-confidence motion, including the possibility of calling snap elections, will be made at the “appropriate” time.
Deputy Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle that whichever election is called, GECOM is prepared to respond, as is its mandate.
However, he noted that the status quo remains, relative to the hosting of local government elections, in that the Commission will need six months to put in place all that is necessary for Guyanese to go to local government polls.
“The Chairman (Dr. Steve Surujbally) has been clear on our preparedness for elections,” he said.
Persaud added that the onus is not on GECOM to call either of the elections, but it is prepared to host whichever one is called.
“Whichever is called we will respond, that is our mandate,” he reiterated.
While the last general elections were held in November 2011, local government elections have not been held in Guyana since 1994. Prior to that, local government elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because of the coincidence with the general and regional elections of 1997.
Additionally, the House passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014. The August date was made via an amendment to the Bill, proposed by APNU, however, this bill has not been assented to by the Head of State.

(By Vanessa Narine )