As opposition political parties press the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a meeting for the election of an Opposition Leader, Attorney General Anil Nandlall is of the view that while the process will take place, he has real concerns over the likelihood of WIN Party Leader, Azruddin Mohamed being elevated to that post while facing a US extradition request.

The 13th Parliament was convened in early November and there have been calls since then for the Speaker to move swiftly to call a meeting for the election of the Leader of the Opposition Leader.

The Leader of the Opposition is elected at a meeting of all the parliamentary opposition members.

With Mr. Mohamed’s WIN party holding the most seats on the Opposition side of the House, he is expected to be elected to the position of Opposition Leader.

Mohamed and his father are facing an 11-count US indictment on allegations of wire and mail fraud and money laundering and tax evasion claims. The extradition request by the US is currently making its way through the local Court.

The Attorney General said he believes that due to the current legal troubles of the WIN leader, the country risks being ridiculed internationally if he is to serve in the constitutional position of Opposition Leader.

“The stain and the international stigma that would attach to our Parliamentary process, to the institutions of Guyana by a fugitive offender not only sitting there but holding the post of Opposition Leader if far graver and would cost permanent damage and that issue I think ought to feature with greater prominence in our public debate and pronouncements,” the Attorney General stated.

Mr. Nandlall, however, acknowledged that there is a delay in the appointment of the Opposition Leader and he is confident that the process will take place when the Speaker returns from overseas travel.

However, he said, Guyanese must be concerned about the country’s Constitution and the likelihood of Mr. Mohamed occupying that position.

“Law abiding and decent minded Guyanese, and those who are concerned about the integrity of our constitutional institutions of governance such as the high institution of the Parliament  should be concerned that there is, not only sitting in that Parliament but holding the position as Opposition (Leader) a fugitive offender. That to me, is an issue far more important than a delay in the elections of the Opposition Leader,” Mr. Nandlall said.

A Partnership for National Unity, the Forward Guyana Movement and the Alliance For Change have all called for the election of the Opposition Leader to be done urgently, arguing that the in absence of such an appointment, the Government is portraying that it is not prepared to be held accountable.

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