Amid concerns about some activities currently being conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Friday reiterated that she will not allow any misdemeanour to take place. “I will not sell my integrity for all the oil in Guyana,” she told reporters as she arrived at the Umana Yana for Nominations Day. “Only one way I know and that is the correct way,” Justice Singh posited. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had on Thursday expressed concerns over the inclusion of unverified persons on the Revised List…
Read MoreYear: 2020
Defying the tenets of democracy
During the APNU/AFC’s official 2020 elections campaign launch at D’Urban Park on January 3, President David Granger is reported as saying that if the coalition were to win the upcoming March 2 polls, his Government will target constitutional provisions for a No-Confidence Motion (NCM). The State newspaper quoted him as saying, “We are going to reform the Constitution so that the nonsense they tried with us over the last 12 months does not happen again.” The “they” referred to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Given what was reported, it…
Read MoreStop the political rhetoric that has caused so much confusion
Dear Editor, In recognising the intensification of a variety of threats to peace posed by the political tensions that surround the current election campaigns, the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, wishes to condemn the political rhetoric that is causing great confusion, annoyance, distrust and humiliation within the minds and hearts of the citizens of Guyana. These unnecessary pains, which are obviously acting up on the emotionalism of some of our peoples, could turn riotous. We have recently seen tensions in Laing Avenue, Sophia and certain parts of Region Five. It…
Read MoreYouth gets life sentence for stabbing girlfriend 41 times
Justice Sandil Kissoon on Tuesday handed a life sentence to Shivanand Roopnarine of School Street, Grove, East a Demerara, who brutally stabbed his 18-year-old girlfriend Alissa McPherson to death in April 2015. Roopnarine, 26, pleaded guilty to a murder indictment presented against him by State Prosecutors Tiffini Lyken, Tuanna Hardy and Nafeeza Baig. He could be eligible for parole after serving 20 years’ imprisonment. Attorney Siand Dhurjon pleaded with the Judge for a lesser sentence for his client. He highlighted that Roopnarine was under the influence of alcohol when he…
Read MoreGuyana’s sugar workers wait in vain for pay hike
It has been over two months since an estimated 3500 sugar workers from fields and factories of Albion, Blairmont, and Uitvlugt estates have petitioned the caretaker President for him to intervene in an anticipated pay rise to sugar workers and to date no word is forthcoming. The workers’ bargaining agent, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) noted that the President has committed that he would send the petition to the GuySuCo to receive their advice before offering a response. But GAWU is contending that the President has received…
Read More‘Not interested in any ministerial posts’ – Jaipaul Sharma
Current Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Jaipaul Sharma has confirmed his exit from the Justice For All Party (JFAP) that was started by his father CN Sharma, while noting that he will also turn down any future ministerial roles should the incumbent Government be reelected. Sharma made this public statement in response to reports in sections of the media that his name was submitted by President David Granger as a People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate for the National Top up list, rather than a JFAP candidate. “It should be noted that…
Read MoreRuling on matter will violate Constitution – lawyer tells Appeal Court
Senior Counsel (SC) Ralph Ramkarran is contending that the electoral process was triggered last month when President David Granger issued the election proclamation and further argues that once the “elections train” has left the station, then any issue relating to this process should be dealt with via an election petition. Ramkarran was at the time rebutting final submissions made by Attorney General Basil Williams in the appeal case filed by the State to challenge the August 2019 decision by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who blocked the removal of persons…
Read MoreState media should not be used for political propaganda purposes
Dear Editor, In responding to both Tony Vieira and myself on the subject of broadcast coverage of the political parties contesting the elections, Mr Enrico Woolford has indulged in ad hominem attacks on Vieira and myself, attacking the messenger rather than the message. I suppose that this will impress the party faithful but it does not address the issue at hand. Tony Vieira, Kit Nascimento and Enrico Woolford are not the issues. The issue is that both of the State-owned and operated media, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the…
Read MoreGuyana working to strengthen legislative framework on children’s rights
As Guyana works to strengthen its legislative framework on children’s rights, focus is being placed on the changing economic conditions as a result of the country’s petroleum sector. This was highlighted at a stock-taking meeting organised by the Legal Affairs Ministry in partnership with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Guyana. The meeting featured key representatives from the Government and civil society bodies who engaged in critical discussions on shaping the way forward to improve local legislative framework for children.…
Read MoreGuyana celebrates 167 years of Chinese arrival
…memorial to be erected in Region 3 January 12, 2020, marked 167 years since Chinese arrived in Guyana as part of the indentureship programme. They have, ever since, been making tremendous contributions to the diversity of Guyana. In commemoration of this event, a Chinese Memorial will be commissioned at Windsor Forest in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The sod was turned for the beginning of construction. On Monday, to commemorate the anniversary, a simple ceremony was hosted at Windsor Forest, where Chinese first settled in Guyana. During the ceremony, Ambassador…
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