Jagdeo still to submit new list of GECOM Chairman nominees

Having consulted with members of civil society and receiving their choices, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is still to submit his new list of six nominees for the Elections Commission Chairmanship position.

In a brief interview this morning, President David Granger said he has not received any new list from Mr. Jagdeo and has no indication as to when a new list will be submitted.

He said whenever Jagdeo is ready to submit the list of GECOM nominees, “he knows where to find me”. The President indicated that he will wait on Jagdeo’s list.

Three weeks ago, the Opposition Leader hosted a series of meetings with various civil society groups about the nominees for the GECOM Chairmanship.

The civil society groups submitted several names to the Opposition Leader and he is expected to submit six of those names to the President for consideration.

Mr. Jagdeo’s first list of nominees was rejected by the President as “unacceptable”. The President has outlined his interpretation of the constitutional requirements for the post.

The Constitution of Guyana, Article 161 (2) states that “…the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such Judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such Court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.”