Nigel Hughes being interviewed by the media after the declaration of election results on December 1
Alliance For Change (AFC) executive member Nigel Hughes last Thursday told the media that his party is pleased that the combined opposition has gained control of the National Assembly, but warned that the PPP/ C’s hold on “executive power” could still hinder their push for constitutional reforms.
He was at the time addressing the media following the declaration of the 2011 general and regional elections at the Savannah Suite, Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.
Hughes, an attorney-at-law, noted that the win provides ample opportunity for immediate constitutional change to be lobbied for.
“… at least half of the population would not be able to get real power and the country remains divided, so our position is that this is a very powerful argument for immediate constitutional change so that half of the population is not excluded from the exercise of power. We are happy that no single party has a majority in Parliament and we would be able to exercise some restraint and I must temper that by saying that it is clear that the present winner-takes-all system will not address the concerns of the people; and, therefore, I think immediately as the new Parliament is convened, we need to address the fact that half of the population is going to be excluded from the exercise of the executive power and that will cause us grave concern.”
Hughes added that the ruling party would be able to go ahead and appoint all ministers without consultation with any other party, and he believes that it is a clear manifestation of division as indicated in the declared results.
He believes that it would “lead to a feeling of significant alienation by significant pockets of our country…” Nevertheless, AFC’s executive member noted that “we are happy to be contemporate, but it is not to us an optimal situation.”
Additionally, Hughes said another concern of his party is that the president has veto power, noting that “he can refuse to assent to laws and then, of course, the country would be left in deadlock and that, of course, is the apprehension that we have.” This is the first time in Guyana’s history that the ruling party has not taken control of the National Assembly.
In the meantime, the AFC in a release to the media said it is pleased that Guyana has entered into a new political dispensation, following the declaration of results for the general and regional elections. According to the party, the national political landscape has forever been changed for the better, in that the people’s representatives in Parliament must find common ground and work together for the benefit and goodwill of all Guyanese.
The release added that the outcome of the elections, as announced by GECOM, is “historic” and one which ought to serve the people of Guyana in a more representative manner, since no one party has a monopoly in the National Assembly.
The party believes that the results should engender broader participation of the representatives of the people in Parliament. “This is a win for all Guyana and for all Guyanese,” AFC said.
The party, which will now holds the balance of power in the National Assembly, believes that the results have positioned the AFC in a pivotal position in Parliament.
It has expressed thanks to the Guyanese electorate in general and those who have supported the party at the polls in particular, as well as those who worked tirelessly for the party across all regions in Guyana.
Comments are closed.