ACTING Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, on Friday, dismissed an application seeking to halt the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Biennial Congress.
The application, filed by party member Brian Collison, aimed to prevent the Congress, citing alleged irregularities in the management of the Congress and the electoral process.
The action filed earlier this week by attorney Dr Vivian Williams sought to ensure that irregularities in the process leading up to the selection of delegates for the imminent Congress, do not compromise the will of the members of the party and supporters.
Delivering her ruling on Friday morning at the Demerara High Court, Justice George held that there was insufficient evidence to justify suspending or injuncting the holding of the Congress.

“The Notice of Application has no merit,” she declared.

In the application, Collison said he was deeply concerned about claims of irregularities in the management of the current Biennial Congress of the PNCR and the electoral process that could affect the true will of the party’s electorate in their election of new office bearers.
He said, among other things, that his interest is establishing accountability in the party and ensuring the most fundamental element of political representation of the people is not further damaged by a process that is not subject to review.
In bringing this action, Collison said he recognised the futility of further pursuing this very important matter internally because of an environment of intolerance and the inability to hold the leadership accountable for upholding basic party rules and practices.
According to Collison, to the best of his knowledge, all efforts to address the concerns internally have been ignored. Thus, he submitted that he had no other choice but to seek to uphold principles, rules and practices that would guarantee his right and that of all PNCR members are upheld in a court of law as the only amicable means and last resort.
Consequently, he requested the court to issue an injunction preventing incumbent PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton, the PNCR itself, or their representatives from conducting elections for officers and Central Executive Committee (CEC) members until the substantive matter is resolved or a subsequent High Court order allows the Congress to proceed.
The action named Aubrey Norton as Leader of the PNCR and the PNCR as respondents.
The Chief Justice’s ruling clears the way for the PNCR Congress to proceed as scheduled.
The Congress, a pivotal event for the party, is likely to witness the election of new leaders.
It comes at a critical time for the PNCR, as the party works to rebuild and enhance its position ahead of the 2025 General and Regional elections.