Georgetown: President David Granger will address the nation Wednesday night regarding general elections in the aftermath of the international community deeming his government unconstitutional, with the 53-nation Commonwealth, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States noting such in press statements.
The President’s address comes more than nine months after his Government was toppled in a No Confidence motion that required elections in three months.
“His Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana today met with his Cabinet and discussed the issue of holding of credible General and Regional elections in Guyana at the earliest possible time. President Granger will address the nation tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at a time to be advised,” the Department of Public Information said Tuesday.
The Caribbean Court of Justice ruled that the December 21, 2018 No Confidence Motion was properly passed with a vote of 33 members in the 65-seat National Assembly.
Accordingly, the Court ruled that the provisions of Article 106 of the Constitution were triggered, namely that elections be called in three months unless a two-thirds majority of the House.
Article 106 (6) states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”
The CCJ upheld the Guyana High Court judgement that even though the vote of Charrandass Persaud, who defected from his Government and voted with the opposition, did not affect the passage of the motion.
The Chief Justice Roxanne George (ag) had ruled that “is agreed that the passing of ordinary legislation by a vote of 33-32 constitutes a majority of those present and voting since 33 is the greater number of votes when compared to thirty-two 32.”
She said that Article 106(6) of our Constitution makes no reference to fractions and such does not require the application of the principle of rounding up.
As such, the majority required by Article 106(6), is at least thirty-three (33) members.
As a result, she found that No Confidence motion was carried as the requisite majority was obtained by a vote of 33 against 32. The CCJ upheld that decision.
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