U.S urges quick move to early elections in Guyana

U.S urges quick move to early elections in Guyana

The Government of the United States has finally broken its silence on the prorogation of the Guyana Parliament and the Chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Georgetown is urging a quick move to national elections and the restoration of parliamentary democracy.

In an interview carried in Friday’s Stabroek News, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt said the US government is looking forward to the announcement of an election date by President Donald Ramotar. He said the US government is already examining possible support it could lend to the elections commissions. Hunt said the primary focus at this stage ought to be moving forward with free and fair elections.

Hunt is quoted as saying that “I look forward to the announcement from President Ramotar as to when the electoral campaign will begin and as I said we are already discussing very actively with the government, with the Guyana Elections Commission and with other stakeholders as to how the United States can play a constructive role in making sure that the process moves forward and we see a return to parliamentary democracy, a parliament that is elected by the Guyanese people to move the country forward”.

President Donald Ramotar indicated back in December that he would be setting a date for elections early this year. He is still to announce a date for the early elections. Questioned by News Source on Thursday, the Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Roger Luncheon said the announcement will come “soon”.

The Opposition parties continue to press the government to set the date for the elections as the parliament remains prorogued. The President suspended the parliament in November to avoid a no confidence motion that the Opposition Alliance For Change was preparing to move against his government with support from the larger opposition party, the APNU.

The combined opposition parties hold the majority in the National Assembly in Guyana.

 

Filed: 16th January, 2015

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