The High Court has ordered that the 12 persons who were recently elected at the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Special Elections, be allowed to take up the management of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union, without further delays.

The team which was headed by former Chairman of the Credit Union, Trevor Benn, won the Special Meeting with the most votes, but the old Management Committee contested the elections, saying that it was not held in accordance with the law.

But in a scathing ruling today, Justice Navendra Singh said the matter has been ongoing for too long and cannot be allowed to continue further. He also rebuked the Chief Cooperative and Development Officer Mr Janaknauth Panchu who tried to stop the new Committee from taking up its place.

According to the Judge, the Chief Co-Op Officer lacks jurisdiction and cannot determine on his own that elected members of the Credit Union cannot be sworn in, because of grievances raised by a few.

Justice Singh said any grievances about the conduct of the elections of the new members should be taken up to the Court and not the CCDO for redress. He argued that similar to when there is a dispute in an election, aggrieved party would usually file an election petition. That process should have been undertaken by those aggrieved, Justice Singh stated.

Justice Singh also upbraided Senior Counsel Neil Boston, for allowing his clients to disregard to outcome of the Special General Meeting, while stating that he ought to know how to treat with matters when a dispute of an election arises.

The Judge ruled today that the matter must be put to rest in the interest of members who had to stand legal cost of the Credit Union for almost three years. 

A month ago, the Credit Union hosted its Special General Meeting and Elections. The team headed by Trevor Benn, won with the most votes but the Management Committee headed by Karen Corbin said that those elections were not properly held.

It was chaos and confusion at the Credit Union when the new management committee turned up to occupy their new positions after the elections last month.

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