Jagdeo pulls PPP from Border Commission as party launches period of “non-co-operation” with Government

At a hastily called press conference on Thursday evening after meeting with the President and learning of his decision, Mr. Jagdeo said he believes the move by the President is unconstitutional and therefore he will end all co-operation between his party and the government at the national and regional level. 

Jagdeo pulls PPP from Border Commission as party launches period of “non-co-operation” with Government

-by Kurt Campbell-

Upset with the President’s move to reject his third list of nominees for the GECOM Chairman position and appoint a Chairman unilaterally, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has declared a period of non co-operation with the Government.

At a hastily called press conference on Thursday evening after meeting with the President and learning of his decision, Mr. Jagdeo said he believes the move by the President is unconstitutional and therefore he will end all co-operation between his party and the government at the national and regional level.

He told reporters that “we will be talking to our people across the country as well as the members to decide what else we will do, but right now, this government will not have our co-operation on any issue until they start complying with the constitution”.

The Opposition Leader announced that the PPP will no longer participate in the Border Commission, which is schedule to meet next week to address issues related to the border controversy involving Venezuela.

Joined by Opposition Parliamentarians Priya Manickchand, Anil Nandlall and Irfan Ali, Mr.Jagdeo also accused the government of setting up a plan to “rig” the next general elections.

“At the heart of this Presidency I think lies a sinister nature and I have now more and more we have to speak about the role this President played in rigged elections in the past […] this sucks us right back into the past,” he said.

President Granger has repeatedly distanced himself from any role in rigging elections during his time in the Guyana Defence Force.

During last evening’s press conference, the Opposition Leader also announced plans to engage the international community and civil society on the matter.

He said he was informed directly by President Granger that he has rejected his third list and will proceed to appoint retired Judge, James Patterson, as the new GECOM Chair.

“Today is one of the darkest days of our fledgling democracy,” a disappointed Jagdeo told reporters.

The Opposition Leader said he believes the President has acted in “bad faith” and labeled the President’s move as a departure from the mutually understanding of an appointment through consultation.

“This is an untrustworthy President. You cannot take him at face value for anything he says. He is unreliable. Untrustworthy. He has lied to this country.”

Jagdeo said it is now clear that this was the President’s intention from the inception as he recalled the rejection of three separate lists of 18 names compiled and submitted.

When questioned about Justice Patterson’s ability to lead the Elections Commission, the Opposition Leader restricted his comments to the breach of process and refused to speak about Patterson’s ability to carry his new functions impartially.

 

 

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