The Atlanta based, Carter Centre is back in Guyana as there continues to be uncertainty about a definitive timeline for early elections.
This morning the four officials from the Carter Center met with the Attorney General and this afternoon the team is scheduled to meet with the Guyana Elections Commission Chairperson.
After a two-hour meeting with the Attorney General Basil Williams, the Head of the Carter Centre delegation, Brett Lacy said they are here to be updated on the political situation and to listen to the various stakeholders.
“We were happy to have the opportunity to meet with the Attorney General and to hear from him about the laws of Guyana and his various arguments related to the current circumstances in Guyana…And I can say from the Carter Centre that we are really here to listen and we are hoping to meet with different actors to understand everyone’s perspective on current events in Guyana”, Lacy said.
At a press conference moments after the meeting, Attorney General Basil Williams said he was able to point out to the officials the concerns about persons who may now be resident outside of Guyana, still having their names on the voter’s list.
He said he explained that a recent ruling by the Chief Justice indicating that there could be no removal of persons from the national register although they are no longer resident in Guyana, may open the door to overseas voting and that is not allowed under the Laws of Guyana unless the person works at a Guyana embassy or mission abroad.
The Attorney General said that is one of the reasons why the Government has appealed that ruling.
Mr. Williams said the coalition government is prepared for elections and the President has repeatedly stated that once the Elections Commission has indicated its readiness, he will name the date.
Officials of the Carter Centre were in Guyana back in March and during their meetings then, they had proposed that the law be activated that would see overseas-based Guyanese being removed from the voter’s list.
There was no agreement on that proposal as the Court decisions and appeals changed the focus for the political parties and the Elections Commission.
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