Dear Editor,
Please publish this letter on the ‘political games’ between the President and the Opposition Leader, representing Government and Opposition. There is widespread concern and uneasiness over the delay in the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM, in view of impending regional elections followed by general elections. This issue has been playing out in the public arena for too long. This matter should have been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the President and Leader of the Opposition, in fulfillment of their constitutional duties following confidential conferring in good faith. But what is outstanding in these meaningless occasional meetings between the President and Opposition Leader is the photo opportunity; the people are disappointed, as nothing good in the national interest has come out of these meetings, much to silent, widespread dissatisfaction of the Guyanese people.
On the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM, the language of the Constitution is clear, with all due respect to the lawyers. What other meaning should be imposed/argued on the term “or any other fit and proper person”? Anyone found to be a fit and proper person from the first list of six persons could have been appointed, as was done in the past. That settled the acceptable constitutional interpretation in practice.
I am of the view that our President has not been getting sound legal advice. Differences in the interpretation should have been referred to the Court, right up to the Caribbean Court of Justice, if necessary. Rejecting the lists of nominees is unfortunate and embarrassing for us in CARICOM and the international community. We have to get right our politics, our Constitution, appointments to constitutional bodies, our elections, and the management of the economy and major industries for the good of all.
The President and the Opposition Leader must demonstrate sincerely to the nation that they can put aside their partisan politics in fulfilling their constitutional duties in an exemplary way in the national interest. It must be admitted that our country is divided largely in the politics of race/ethnicity for many years. A fair and just political and constitutional solution must be found on the basis of wide consensus, taking into account our ethnic demographics. The tokenism of racial inclusion and the dressing of the executive administration with a Social Cohesion Ministry, with meaningless and deceptive public relations gimmicks, will make no impact in this society; and is wasting tax payers’ money.
What hope is there for our country if the political leaders cannot meet in mutual confidence, confer in good faith, and agree on issues of national interest? This should be done without posturing in the media on individual political positions before arriving at mutual agreements.
The nation looks to the President and the Leader of the Opposition, who should be role models and set the tone for the conduct of national affairs in the interest of all the citizens.
Ministers, members of the National Assembly, and public officials must fall in line in the conduct of their statutory administrative and service duties to the public. They must set a good example as role models for now and future generations.
Yours sincerely,
Joshua Singh
