Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones and APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Tabitha Sarabo- Halley, have filed an application with the High Court seeking an order for Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to vacate his seat in the National Assembly owing to his prolonged absence from the Assembly, which they contend is unconstitutional.

The Application which was filed by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, states that Mr.  Jagdeo was absent from the National Assembly for eleven consecutive sittings from 11th December, 2023 to the 1st February, 2024, within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana.

 The Application urges the Court to consider the Constitutional and legal implications of Mr. Jagdeo’s prolonged absence from Parliamentary sittings.

Among the declarations being sought is for the Vice President and PPP General Secretary to vacate his seat in the National Assembly in line with Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution  and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana as a result of him being absent from the Sittings in the National Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive Sittings. 

The Opposition MPs have also asked the Court to declare that Mr. Jagdeo can no longer be a member of Cabinet or Vice President of Guyana because of his prolonged absence from the House.

In a press statement this afternoon, MP Jones and MP Sarbao-Halley noted  that good governance relies heavily on the active participation of all elected officials and that their application seeks to uphold the Constitution of Guyana and to secure the integrity of the parliamentary system.

Mr. Jagdeo has also stayed away from participating in the budget debates over the past few years.

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