Guyana: Opposition Leader Nominates New Election Commissioners in Guyana

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has formally requested President Irfaan Ali to appoint three new election commissioners who are backed by the opposition. This request aligns with the parliamentary representation established after the general and regional elections held in September of the previous year.

In a letter dated June 30, Mr. Mohamed recommended the appointment of lawyers Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva as members of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). He stated that this recommendation followed meaningful consultations with opposition political parties represented in the National Assembly, in accordance with Article 161(3)(b) of the Constitution of Guyana.

While A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) chairman Aubrey Norton declined to meet with Mr. Mohamed, citing the absence of vacancies within GECOM, Amanza Walton-Desir, the leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), participated in discussions with Mr. Mohamed, Mr. Norton, and the current GECOM commissioners—Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman. The commissioners expressed their intention to remain in their positions unless amendments are made to the Constitution and laws of Guyana that align with the requests of Mr. Norton and APNU.

Mr. Mohamed emphasized to President Ali that the seven-member commission should accurately reflect the opposition’s parliamentary configuration, noting that the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party secured 16 seats, APNU obtained 12 seats, and FGM acquired one seat. He expressed hope that Dr. Ali would promptly swear in the new trio as Guyana approaches local government elections later this year.

Mr. Mohamed highlighted the urgency of establishing a properly constituted Elections Commission that represents the opposition’s parliamentary makeup, given the national obligation to ensure timely Local Government Elections.

Source: demerarawaves.com