A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has tabled a number of Motions, Bills and Questions to the National Assembly, including amendments to the Representation of the People Act and the Natural Resource Fund Act.

The APNU wants Section 69 of the Representation of the People Act to be amended to strengthen the country’s electoral process.

APNU Member of Parliament, Vinceroy Jordan explained that the proposed change would see the introduction of Biometric verification systems at polling stations and the mandatory use of ID cards by voters to prevent voter impersonation.

“This measure will, one, prevent voter impersonation and electoral fraud; two, ease the logistical and financial burdens on smaller political parties and three, reinforce public confidence in the fairness and credibility of Guyana’s elections,” MP Jordan said.

The APNU has long advocated for the use of enhanced Biometrics at polling stations, but while the issue had gained the attention of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), it received major push back from the Government, and it appears to have been shelved.

The APNU also wants Section 16 of the Natural Resource Fund Act amended to ensure that the country’s oil revenues are used in a transparent and responsible manner.

“The amendment seeks to restrict withdrawals from the NRF to capital development and disaster-relief projects only; reinstate parliamentary control over annual withdrawals; and require mandatory annual reporting to the National Assembly on all NRF-financed projects,” MP Jordan explained.

Questions on the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) were also submitted to the National Assembly.

Jordan said the questions, motions and amendments reflect the coalition’s robust Parliamentary agenda for this the 13^th Parliament.

With just 12 seats in the House, the APNU would need the support of the Government, which holds the majority, to have the motions and bills passed.

But APNU Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan said the onus is on the APNU to demonstrate its ability to govern the country, and pilot bills that would make a difference.

“We have an onus to show that we are ready on day one to govern this country and that is why we have a very, very robust parliamentary agenda and work programme. We understand that we have other political parties in the House, we submitted close to 40 motions and questions and bills that we want to see make the order paper in the near term but we could have easily submitted 500 and dominate the entire parliamentary agenda but we are eager to see what the PPP wants to table, we are eager to see what WIN wants to table and what Forward Guyana wants to table. But we want to be able to show the people of this country that we understand these issues and we are willing to move these issues forward in the National interest,” MP Duncan said.

He said the issues placed before the House are “substantive” and should be given the necessary consideration.

APNU said its Parliamentary agenda is rooted in accountability, transparency, and the empowerment of citizens.

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