LEADER of the Opposition,Bharrat Jagdeo,has expressed willingness in working with the APNU/AFC government in the process of constitutional reform, but has accused the administration of breaching the present constitution which is of grave concern to his party.

“We are open to any discussion about constitutional reform or constitutional changes but right now we have a major issue;there are daily breaches of our current constitution…” Jagdeo said on Monday at the press conference held at Freedom House.

He alluded to several instances which he claims the government is guilty of breaching the law. “…From the Carvil Duncan case to the case where the government has so far disregarded the advice of the JSC, to the President and the Attorney General ascribing to their own interpretation to the constitutional provisions related to the appointment of the chairman of GECOM.”

Jagdeo said he is still confused as to which external agency the government has requested to work with on the process. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expert team was in Guyana to explore how constitutional reform could be realised while the Carter Center also came on board as a partner in the process.

Jagdeo also expressed concern on the government treating the process as a task from the executive rather than using independent bodies such as representatives of civil society.
The Opposition Leader also claimed that the international agencies cannot give clear answers as to which section of the constitution the government is seeking to change, hence it is difficult for them to be involved with the lack of clarity given.

Despite these, Jagdeo said that the PPP will continue to be open-minded with the process.

“We remain open, we are always open-minded, if there are things that can change for the better of all Guyanese,but there needs to be condemnation with these daily breaches…”

Before taking office in May 2015, the coalition had vowed to have the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee with a mandate to complete consultations, draft amendment and present same to the National Assembly for approval within nine months of holding office. This, however, was materialised in August of 2016 when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo appointed a Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR) which was tasked with drafting a work programme and make recommendations for constitutional reform.

The SCCR later presented a report to the Prime Minister in which several recommendations were made.

Last month a UNDP expert team was in Guyana to explore how constitutional reform could be realized.  The terms of reference (ToR) between the Government of Guyana, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA), has outlined the scope of the constitutional reform needs assessment mission.

It covers assessment of the political environment in Guyana and the legal and institutional framework governing the constitutional reform process; review past reform processes; evaluate the interest, capacity and roles of the various civil and political stakeholders in engaging in the constitutional reform process; and assess the potential role of UNDP-UNDPA in assisting this process and resources required. Subsequent to this the Carter Center came on board as a partner in the constitutional reform process.