Nandall livid over Speaker’s decision to disallow question about names of pardon recepients

In a response to Nandlall's request, the Clerk of the National Assembly, informed him that the Speaker believes that it would be an abuse of the right of questioning under Standing Order 20(2) for the question to be asked in the National Assembly. The former Minister wanted the current Minister of Public Security to state the names of persons who would have received the Presidential pardons.

Nandall livid over Speaker’s decision to disallow question about names of pardon recepients

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall is livid over a decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly to disallow a question about the identities of persons who would have received Presidential Pardons under President David Granger.

In a response to Nandlall’s request, the Clerk of the National Assembly, informed him that the Speaker believes that it would be an abuse of the right of questioning under Standing Order 20(2) for the question to be asked in the National Assembly.  The former Minister wanted the current Minister of Public Security to state the names of persons who would have received the Presidential pardons.

Mr. Nandlall appeared shocked by the Speaker’s decision and in a statement on his Facebook page, he said the response from the Speaker was “astonishing”.

“Something must be fundamentally wrong in a democracy when a non- elected member of the House seeks to prohibit an elected member of the House from asking questions that are indisputably of public importance and for which the public crave answers”, Nandlall said.

He added that “the transgression is compounded by the fact that the questions have been deemed “an abuse” without any reason provided for such a conclusion. Of course, this is not the end of the matter. You will hear more from me as we continue the battle against a creeping dictatorship”.

The first batch of Presidential pardons took place last year. A number of youths who were convicted  for petty offences and nearing the completion of their sentencing were set free. At least two of them have found themselves before the courts again since their pardon.

Under the PPP Civic’s 23 rule in Guyana, a number of Presidential pardons were granted.  Except for the pardon of social activist, Mark Benschop, the others were never publicly announced by the former government.

 

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