The Alliance For Change (AFC) on Tuesday said it respects and accepts the recent rulings by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the matters relating to the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the passage of the December 21st 2018 no-confidence motion against the Government of Guyana.

In a release the AFC said it is committed to the rule of law and to adherence to the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana and is of the view that the resignation of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM subsequent to the Court’s ruling was correct and proper. “The party now believes that the process of appointing a new Chairman should be undertaken with the utmost urgency and concluded within two weeks.”

Further, the AFC said it holds the view that this process is critical to public confidence in the outcome of the next General and Regional Elections and that there is no shortage of fit and proper Guyanese persons acceptable across the political divide to fill this position.

“The party therefore urges that early consultations be held in good faith between the President and the Leader of the Opposition so that a new Chairman can be appointed without delay.”

Regarding the no-confidence motion, the Alliance For Change believes that, following the final determination of the courts, elections should now be held in keeping with the Article 106 (7) of the Constitution and that GECOM, under a new Chairman, should advise on the earliest date for such an election.

The Alliance For Change said it will therefore support the holding of elections within the shortest possible time frame advised by GECOM, and urges the Parliamentary opposition to support any reasonable extension of the Constitutionally required period for the holding of elections within such a time frame.