…pleased with political commitment to respect CCJ’s ruling

UNITED States Embassy here is pleased with the political commitment given by the Government and the Opposition to respect the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) when it rules on the legitimacy of the December 21 Vote of No-Confidence against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

On May 10 the CCJ will hear arguments from both sides on the validity or the illegitimacy of the motion before handing down its decision. In a joint interview with journalists on Monday, U.S Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch said she is pleased with the political commitment given by both sides.

“I have been heartened in my short amount of time here that the political leaders that I have discussed this issue with both in the government, the opposition, (and in) other political parties also, have indicated that they would respect this ruling and there would be a peaceful reaction to it,” the U.S Ambassador told the print journalists.

She said the U.S Embassy stands firm in its respect for democratic institutions and democratic processes, and would encourage respect for the decision. “I would encourage all political parties and citizens to react in a peaceful way even if they disagree with the outcome,” Ambassador Lynch further added.

The CCJ’s decision will determine whether or not there will be early elections. Thus far, the Court of Appeal, by a 2-1 margin, has overturned the decision of the High Court, and has ruled that the Vote of No-Confidence against the Coalition Government was invalid on the basis that the Opposition did not secure an absolute majority. That ruling has put a hold on early elections which was triggered by the December 21, 2018 Vote of No-Confidence.

However, the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, through his attorneys, have turned to the CCJ to reverse the Appellate Court’s decision.

President David Granger has long indicated that his Government will abide with the ruling of the Courts. Pending the decision of the CCJ, President Granger, in a recent interview, said his Government will use its majority in the National Assembly to make the $3.5B available to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the preparations for General and Regional Elections.

“So, regardless of what happened at the Supreme Court, regardless of what happened at the Court of Appeal, regardless of what’s happening at the CCJ, we are going to ensure that we satisfy GECOM’s requests,” President Granger told journalists.

Before the Court of Appeal handed down its decision on March 22, GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, had informed the President that approximately $3.5B was needed to facilitate early General and Regional Elections.

President Granger had asked the Commission, on two occasions, to present its plans, programmes and financial needs for the hosting of credible elections, in the shortest possible time.

A November, 2019 timeframe was given by GECOM. However, with the Appellate Court ruling that the No-Confidence Motion was invalidly passed, at this stage, Government is not mandated to hold early elections this year.

Elections
Weighing in on the topic of elections, Ambassador Lynch underscored the importance of civic education in the preparation for elections. The Ambassador said while the U.S Embassy is not yet engaged in any civic education programme here in Guyana as in the case of 2015 ‘Vote Like A Boss’ campaign, it is opened to discussion, noting that civic education is key.

“We would be happy to have such discussions with the government if they are interested,” Ambassador Lynch said while adding the U.S is involved in elections observation, civic education and even political debates on issues of national interest.

“We are more than ready to support and assist, pending funding being available as always, yes we are happy to enter into those discussions,” she told the journalists
When she presented her Letters of Credence to President Granger last month, Ambassador Lynch said the US will continue to encourage “genuinely free and fair elections” in Guyana.

“Moving forward, we will continue to encourage genuinely free and fair elections; freedom of speech and assembly; multiparty representation and a constitutional judiciary process,” she said. The American Ambassador said Guyana and the U.S have witnessed significant progress, and will work towards strengthening the democratic process and political institutions along with broader political participation and citizen representation.