CCJ to hand down orders on July 12; Encourages consultations between President and Opposition

During an almost two-hour hearing, Justice Saunders expressed disappointment that there has not been some urgency placed in the need for the President and the Opposition Leader to meet on the current situation.

CCJ to hand down orders on July 12; Encourages consultations between President and Opposition

The Caribbean Court of Justice this afternoon indicated that it will hand down its consequential orders on the no-confidence and GECOM Chairman cases on the the 12th July, 2019.

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders has asked the parties to submit written submissions by July 1.

During an almost two-hour hearing, Justice Saunders expressed disappointment that there has not been some urgency placed in the need for the President and the Opposition Leader to meet on the current situation.

He repeatedly said he did not want the Court to be making political decisions for Guyana.

During the hearing, the Opposition Leader’s Attorney told the Court that the CCJ should set a date for elections, order the resignation of the President and Cabinet and also order for a selection of a GECOM Chairman to be done within seven days.

However, Attorney General Basil Williams countered that there is no current voters list since the last list expired at the end of April.

He said the Constitution is specific as to how a new list be completed and that would include house-to-house registration.

The Attorney General also said that the Constitution also caters for the period for elections being extended by the National Assembly and if that fails then it is the President who can set a date for the elections based on the advice of the Elections Commission. Mr. Williams reminded the Court that in Guyana, there is an Executive President and he could make decisions on his own.

He also indicated that on the GECOM Chairman appointment, the President is ready to meet with the Opposition Leader to discuss potential nominees before a final list of nominees is presented.

The CCJ President repeatedly called for their to be discussions and meetings ahead of the submissions deadline.

Last Tuesday, the CCJ ruled that the no confidence motion against the government was valid.

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