GUYANA’S newest political party, A New and United Guyana (ANUG), has cleared the air on the topics of dual citizenship, campaign financing and women inclusion among its membership.

At the party’s launch on Friday, at Moray House in the city, Attorney Timothy Jonas, a member of the party’s steering committee explained the party’s position on the three issues.

The launch featured former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran; former PPP Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey; Businessmen Kian Jabour and Beni Sankar; former PPP Linden Vice-Chairman Akanni Blair and Jonas.

According to Jonas, “all of these men are Guyanese and only Guyanese”, but he acknowledged that he (Jonas) has dual citizenship status by descent, while Jaboor holds dual citizenship having been born in Canada.

The issue of dual citizenship was brought under the microscope, after former AFC MP Charrandass Persaud voted in favour of the Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion, in an attempt to bring down the incumbent government last December.

Article 155 of the Constitution states: “(1) No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

Prior to its official launch on Friday, ANUG had said that it will advocate for the abolition of the rule prohibiting dual citizens from membership of the National Assembly, noting that it is an “anachronism”, which is not enforced by political parties.

“This is the forum to say that in so far as there is a grey area, no one sitting at this table will present themselves as eligible to go into Parliament. So, if there needs to be a decision by the court, that decision will be had before anyone sitting here, who may be avowed, sit in Parliament,” Jonas said at the launch.

He revealed his citizenship status, as well as that of Jaboor, in an attempt to promote transparency. The party member also affirmed that in promoting transparency and accountability, the party is exploring the possibility of publishing the donations received for campaign financing on its Facebook page, and show how the money has been spent.

According to him, many businesses have approached the party to provide funding on the condition of anonymity, for fear of victimisation. The party has not actually received any external funds as yet, according to Jonas.

And at the launch, which featured an all-male head table, it was evident that there was a lack in female representation.

Jonas deemed the women “smarter” than these men who have decided to take the plunge and potentially open themselves up to heavy scrutiny and victimisation. Nevertheless, the attorney affirmed that women will join the ranks, and in fact, encouraged persons to join, should they see an underrepresented demographic.

The seventh and eighth objectives in the party’s Constitution read: “To legislate for a minimum number of women to be named on each list of candidates and to be elected to the National Assembly by each List of Candidates” and “To encourage decision-making bodies in administration and business to set minimum numbers of women to be appointed while avoiding discriminatory practices.”

Nevertheless, Jonas said: “The insane people you see sitting here have taken a risk and the reason you do not see ladies sitting there yet, is because they are among you, supporting but much more sensible than we are. I hope at some point that changes.”