The Private Sector Commission has added its voice to the Opposition party’s criticism of the President’s decision to move ahead with the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

In a statement, the PSC said the move by President Granger now poses “a clear threat to democracy and will inevitably divide the nation and lead to economic instability”.

The Private Sector body blasted the move by the President as a “dangerous” decision  and added that it is “extremely unfortunate” that the President and the Opposition Leader failed to find an agreement on the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The PSC said that throughout the entire process of exchange between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, it had hoped that the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM would continue in an open and transparent manner and in accord with the requirements of the Constitution.

On Thursday, President David Granger informed the Opposition Leader that he had decided to appoint retired Justice, James Patterson, as the new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Justice Patterson was not on any of the three lists of nominees provided to the President.  Mr. Granger defended his decision by pointing to the Constitutional provisions, which according to him, allows him to go ahead with the appointment if the Leader of the Opposition fails to produce acceptable nominees.

The Opposition Leader has broadsided the President over the move and has declared a period of non-cooperation with the Government.  

While refusing to comment on the suitability of the new GECOM Chairman, the Opposition Leader stated that he is more concerned about the process at arriving at the new GECOM Chair and it is a process that he believes was unconstitutional.

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