A PROCLAMATION issued by President David Granger on Wednesday directs that the 11th Parliament be convened on June 10, and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs has assured that “everything is in place” for that day.The Coalition Administration scored a close victory in the General and Regional Elections with 207,200 votes, while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) secured the support of 202,694 Guyanese.

Given the results of the elections, the Coalition secured a representation of 33 MPs in the 65-seat National Assembly, while the PPP/C secured 32.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Isaacs stated that work to ready the National Assembly’s Chambers have been completed.
“I have also met with the Joint Services to ensure that everything will be ready for the ceremonial aspects of Parliament being convened, the inspection of the guard, etc.,” he said, adding that the issuance of official invitations are still to be done.

NEW LEADERSHIP
On the question of expectations, the Clerk said Wednesday’s sitting will see the election of a Speaker, and several names have been floated, including Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, who was nominated by AFC, and Dr Barton Scotland, who has the support of APNU.
Early indications are that Dr Scotland may have the upper hand in the selection.
Once the Speaker is elected, the House will next move to elect a Deputy Speaker, while the Clerk will swear in the MPs.
Isaacs also disclosed that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday forwarded the list of “declared Members of Parliament (MPs)” representing APNU+AFC.
The Clerk stated that the list of declared MPs representing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is still outstanding, given that the party is yet to submit its list to GECOM. He however explained that this will not impede the convening of the 11th Parliament.
“Once I have a quorum, one-third, which is 22 Members, then I can proceed, whether the Opposition is there or not,” Isaacs said.

He said that in the event that the PPP/C is not represented in the National Assembly next Wednesday, then their MPs can be sworn in at a subsequent sitting.

ABSENCES
He however made it clear that absences of in excess of six successive sittings will result in the Speaker of the House declaring the Opposition benches vacant.
Notably, in the absence of a declared list of PPP/C MPs, there is also much speculation over who will be the leader of the Opposition. Both former presidents Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo were named as possible candidates.
CEREMONY
Isaacs also highlighted that the sitting, after the election of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker and swearing in of MPs, will be suspended for the new Head of State to inspect the Guard of Honour, and make his way to the Assembly’s Chambers, where he will deliver an address.
“A reception for the President, MPs and invited guests, including the Diplomatic Corps, will end the day’s activities,” he said.
The new 65 Members, relative to representation in the House, was decided based on the outcome of the recent General and Regional elections and who those individuals are will be based on the names submitted, via a Candidates List submitted on Nomination Day, by the contesting political parties.
The 10th Parliament was convened on January 12, 2012.