Guyana: Established Math Formula Determines Membership of Parliamentary Committees in Guyana

The decades-old mathematical formula that determines the number of members on Guyana’s parliamentary standing and sectoral committees was provided to the government and opposition chief whips earlier this year, according to Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs. He stated that the allocation of committee membership is done proportionately based on the strength of each party in the National Assembly.

Mr. Isaacs explained that the system for electing committee members is distinct from that of electing a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, which occurs during a full sitting of the 65-member National Assembly. He emphasized that the method used for committee membership is longstanding and aims to reflect the political representation balance in Parliament.

In response to concerns raised by Amanza Walton-Desir, leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), regarding the application of the “vote-count eligibility formula” and the perceived selective use of this formula by Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and House Speaker Manzoor Nadir, Mr. Isaacs released the formula and results showing that the FGM could not be represented on those committees.

Ms. Walton-Desir, the only FGM parliamentarian, expressed her concerns about the refusal of her nomination by We Invest in Nationhood and A Partnership for National Unity. She argued that the situation is not merely about her political standing but about transparency for the people of Guyana.

She highlighted inconsistencies in the application of the formula, noting previous nominations made by Ms. Teixeira for candidates from other parties who had received fewer votes than the FGM. Ms. Walton-Desir stated that the FGM received 4,585 votes in the September 2025 General Election, contrasting this with the lower vote counts of other nominated candidates.

Despite these challenges, Ms. Walton-Desir indicated her willingness to support the work of the foreign relations sectoral committee and other committees where her expertise could be beneficial. She criticized the government for its attempts to control opposition through various means, including social media and public information channels.

Source: demerarawaves.com