The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has joined the long list of organisations that have come out and publicly registered condemnation of President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The Dharmic Sabha said it is “disturbed at the unprecedented action” of President Granger in unilaterally appointing 84-year-old Patterson to the post of Chairman of GECOM.
The Sabha, in a statement, noted that the Constitution of Guyana, which is its supreme law, prescribes a process for the selection of a GECOM Chairman which has up to this moment been respected and adhered to by all past Presidents.
“While the Constitution also provides for the President to appoint a Chairman to GECOM in the instances where no list is provided by the Opposition Leader or if those persons on the list are found to be unacceptable, the Dharmic Sabha is deeply concerned that the President has chosen to ignore the three lists provided by the Leader of the Opposition without giving any reason as to the unsuitability of those nominees.”
The Hindu religious representative body said the lists were submitted “after a process of wide consultation”; thereby including Guyanese in the decision-making process.
It noted that the Carter Formulae crafted to ensure transparency in the process of selection of the Chairman espoused inclusiveness and engendered participation of civil society. “To ignore the lists of diverse and competent Guyanese smacks of arrogance and a desire to thwart the democratic process in place for all of Guyana to feel confident in the electoral process going forward,” the Sabha declared.
It said too that “the indecent haste to appoint someone late in the night has also raised many valid questions as to the genuine desire for a transparent electoral process”.
In addition, the Sabha said the choice of candidate as someone who is currently employed by the Government in an advisory capacity and who has had long association with the ruling party, also raises concerns about impartiality that is necessary for this key constitutional post.
“Free and fair elections are intrinsic to democracy and Guyana’s democracy has been hard won. All Guyanese should feel confident that our elections are free and fair with the results reflecting the wishes of the population. The manner in which the President has appointed the new GECOM Chairman, a person who will be tasked with ensuring the transparency of elections, has raised lots of questions and feelings of distrust across the country. The President has caused Guyanese to question his genuineness with regard to ensuring a democratic free and fair electoral process.”
To uphold democracy, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is calling on President Granger to review his decision and to act in the best interest of all of Guyana.
