PRESIDENT David Granger has no intention of deviating from the recent High Court decision of Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire, on the chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday during a post-cabinet press briefing told reporters that President Granger respects the ruling of the court and will consider it as part of his decision on the matter. In July, Justice George ruled that persons nominated to be selected as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) do not have to be judges, former judges or persons qualified to serve as a judge, a position which differed somewhat from that of the President.

She also ruled that while the President has the ultimate say on who is determined fit and proper to serve in the post, and could also reject the list of nominees, he should provide reasons as to why specific persons are unsuitable. Businessman, Marcel Gaskin, had approached the High Court for an interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution and to declare whether the list of nominees to be submitted by the opposition leader must include a judge, a retired judge or a person qualified to be a judge.

However, Harmon assured, “the President respects the ruling of the court in this matter and has no intention of stepping outside of the boundaries that was established there. He respects that ruling.”
Back in March, the President had detailed the qualities that the nominees should have. “Among the requirements were, inter alia, that the individual must not be an activist of any form (gender, racial, religious, etc.); that the person must have no political affiliation; and that the person should have the general characteristics of honesty, integrity, faithfulness, and diligence,” the President stated. GECOM was last chaired by Dr. Steve Surujbally, who has since resigned leaving the post vacant for approximately six months. By law, the head-of-state is required to consult with the Leader of the Opposition on the subject and the latter is required to, after consultation with stakeholder, submit a list of six persons for consideration.

Thus far, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has submitted three lists comprising six nominees each. The first two lists were rejected by President Granger, who said the nominees were not “fit and proper.” At the moment, the President is reviewing the third list, which was submitted about two weeks ago and comprises former GECOM Chairman, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh, Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin, Environmentalist Annette Arjune-Martins, Pastor Onesi La Fleur and Former Magistrate, Krishnadatt Persaud.

Harmon said too that like the nation, President Granger too is anxious to have the matter resolved soonest and noted that there was a eight week hiatus after the second list was rejected and before the third list was submitted.

“His Excellency is giving this matter its careful consideration and wants to ensure that the person who is selected to be the chairman of GECOM is a person who is fit and proper for that job. I want to assure you also, that his Excellency himself is very anxious to have this matter brought to an end and that he is taking all steps in that direction,” said Harmon.

The Minister of State assured that President Granger believes that the post of GECOM Chairman is “very important” and as a result, “will make a determination to ensure we get the best possible person for that position.” “He is anxious like everyone else to get this thing done,” stressed Harmon.

Meanwhile, the second list rejected by the President comprised of Retired Justice of Appeal B.S Roy; Retired Justice William Ramlall; Attorney and a former Magistrate, Oneidge Walrond-Allicock; Attorneys, Kashir Khan and Nadia Sagar and businessman, Gerald Gouveia. The President had said that the list did not comprise a range of persons from which to choose a candidate.

He said that Opposition Leader must submit a list that matches the criteria set out in keeping with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana for the selection of a ‘fit and proper’ person to fill the post of GECOM. “Every member of the list suggested must conform to the criteria and you cannot put on the list, a person who does not conform… I must be given a choice. I don’t believe that the second list gave me the range of choice that the people of Guyana deserve,” President Granger said. “Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right,” the President continued.

The first list comprised of Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorney and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; Retired Major General, Norman Mc Lean; Business Executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; Indian Rights Activist, Rhyaan Shah and History Professor, James Rose.